Steadstyle Chicago
	February 2010 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	Noises Off In the summer of 1981, Theatre at The Center in Munster Indiana opened its doors with a British farce.  "Noises Off" is Michael Frayn's hysterical look at a theater company as it opens, runs and closes a show called "Nothing On".  This is a three act play that takes us on the stage for the last run through in Act One.  Here we meet the director (Will Clinger) and his cast, all troupers who have worked together before and have a sort of relationship with each other.  In the second act, we see the set from backstage, and about a month has passed.  Thus the actors are more relaxed with the show and each other, but as we know, things do take place between actors, some love, some hate and of course some jealousy.  We now see where all these emotions take this cast and director.  In the third act, we are back to the stage front set as the show is on its last little run and by this time, none of the actors really care.  It is time to hang this one up!  We get to see the budding romances, the hate that has grown between them and nothing even close to that dress rehearsal we witnessed in Act One.  How fitting that Theatre At The Center begin its 20th year with the show that started it all! This is by far one of the funniest farces ever written, but the writing of a farce is only one part of the formula that makes it work.  The other ingredients are a director who allows his cast to grow their characters from within and let it all come out.  William Pullinsi is considered by many local theater audience members and critics to be a master in the art form of farce.  Think back to his days at The Forum and what he is adding to the season at the Center and it appears that we will get a farce per year.  That is fine with me, as Pullinsi does know how to take this art form from script to stage.  Part of his talent is to know the material and understand it fully.  Then he brings in some of the greatest actors in the area, also masters of farce. Leading the cast in this inane comedy is non other than Chicago favorite Dale Benson, who believe it or not, until this production has never had the opportunity to portray drunk actor Selsdon Mowbray.  After watching how he brings this man to life, let me just say, the role is his!  Point blank, Dale has made it his own.  If any of you recall Dale's days "Up In Mabel's Room," "Getting Gertie's Garter," or "Critic's Choice" at the old Shady Lane Playhouse in Marengo or the other wonderful work around town you know that Dale is known for his rubbery face and use of the English language.  He is also the only actor I know that can make a single line into a monologue, but with style and always to get a laugh. The other cast members are Marilyn Bogetich (a stitch as Dotty), Jeff Cummings, the stunningly beautiful Laura E. Taylor as the sexy Brooke, Ann Hammonds as Poppy, the stage manager/understudy, the statuesque Laura Leonardo Ownby as Belinda Blair, Jason R. Wroblewski as Tim, the handyman/understudy, Clay Sanderson as the priggish Frederick Fellowes, and the very funny Jeff Cummings as Garry LeJeune.  Each member of this cast is an important cog in the wheel of what is known as farce.  They must all have complete trust in one another as they run in and out of doors, throw things at each other and do all sorts of movements that require perfect timing, or injured actors will be hauled off by ambulance.  This is what makes the show a work of art.  Each part of the painting is just the right tone and the stage crew is just as important.  The set by Lee Brasuell is unique in that we see it twice from the audience view and once from backstage, so during each intermission, the crew must reverse the entire set in 15 minutes!  Bravo. In addition to great direction and a sterling cast, we also have to acknowledge R & D Choreography for making the violence and fight design appear very real and doing so with no injuries.  The lighting by Denise Karczewski and sound by Matt Meier make the show complete.  Before I mention that next person of importance, I need to say that I have received many notes from readers mentioning the fact that I am one of the few reviewers who mention tech people.  I responded to them and will tell you that the tech people make it all happen, just as a good orchestra makes the music sound better for both the singer and the audience. I am always impressed by the prop people as they handle little things that go unnoticed by most audiences.  Everyone sees the set, hears the sound and sees the set because of the lighting, but props are just there, they are a part of the scenery so to speak, but just think about what might take place if the props were not in the right place at the right time.  An entire show might go from a marvelous theatrical experience to a show with something missing.  So, Libby Fandrei, great job! No matter the weather or whatever is happening in the world around us, we all need to laugh.  They say it is good for our souls and our health, so why not take the ride to Munster Indiana, just a hop, skip and jump from the Loop, for guaranteed pandemonium.  Your sides may hurt a bit by the third act, but it is truly worth it.  "Noises Off" will continue through March 21, 2010.  Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 :30 p.m.  Tickets range in price from $20-$40, a very reasonable cost for a product of this quality, and can be purchased by calling 219-836-3255 or Tickets.com at 800-511-1552 or visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com where you can also  learn about special events and upcoming productions.  Lots of free parking.    About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The Epoch Times.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.