Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Welcome back to the 1970’s and the battle of the sexes in the current show at Newport Playhouse, “The Crazy Time” by Sam Bobrick. Miles Gladstone finds himself making some drastic midlife changes after leaving his wife of thirty years and marrying a gorgeous woman half his age. Just six months into his new marriage, his new wife is nowhere to be found, his daughter Susan fears that her marriage is headed down the same road as her parents. Miles, business partner Jerry is plotting a hostile takeover and surprisingly ex-wife Kate is back in his life but now involved with a much younger boyfriend. The crazy time occurs in your lives when outside distractions lead you astray from your path of life. Director Rick Bagley infuses his cast with keen insight into these comic roles and they lead the audience on a merry romp after the audience enjoys an all you can eat buffet before the show and a delightful, fun filled cabaret afterwards.
Leading the cast is Richard Johnson as Miles. He is onstage almost the whole show. First Miles is enamored with his gorgeous second wife doing everything to please her but after some bumps in the road, he ends up dejected in his pajamas eating up every goodie in sight and concocting ways to get back with his ex-wife whom he ditched for the younger gal. One of his funniest lines is when he exclaims Kate always thought he was the cat’s ass when they first were married and he wants to go back to being the cats ass or whatever kind of ass she wants. There are many twists and turns in this story so you will have to see the show to find out if first love wins the day or if there is another funny roadblock or event that will leave you laughing.
Stealing almost every scene that he’s in, is Jim Killavey as Jerry. He oogles photos of Miles’ second wife, delivering clever and hilarious one liners like a eunuch would definitely want to make love to her and he would love to watch her in string bikini. Jim’s caustic comments and lines make the audience laugh loudly all night long. Miles’ lovely daughter, Susan played wonderfully by Katrina Rossi arrives to tell dad that she might be having marital woes like he and her mother had. Later on the daughter counsels her dad on how he should buck himself and try to pull himself together. This is Katrina’s debut performance at the playhouse, having been nominated for acting awards by Motif and Broadway World.com.
Amanda Blattner plays Kate, the ex-wife who tells Miles off in her first scene by saying after he dumped her, she got plenty of screwing after getting screwed. This is her debut performance at the playhouse after leaving a career as a TV news producer and writer. In her second scene Amanda delivers a searing and biting monologue to set Miles and Jerry in their place. This scene has to be seen to be believed. Also making his debut performance on the Newport Playhouse main stage as Dirk is Yadil Rivera. He is a hoot as this boy toy who replies with “Cool, dude” quite often. His funniest bit comes while talking on the phone with Miles when he is told to be quiet and doesn’t talk when Miles asks him a question. It is quite hilarious as is the last scene where he is dusting the furniture and drinking left over drinks. Mich Muller, an accomplished musician, makes his stage debut as Dirk, playing the role at alternating performances. So for a fun filled theatrical treat, be sure to catch “The Crazy Time” at Newport Playhouse. The gorgeous 1970’s set is by Tonya Killavey and stage manager Olivia Sahlin keeps thing running smoothly all night long.
THE CRAZY TIME (13 October to 19 November)
Newport Playhouse, 102 Connell Highway, Newport, RI
1(401)848-7529 or www.newportplayhouse.com
