Reviewed by Tony Annicone
The opening show of the Newport Playhouse and recently renovated cabaret restaurant’s 35th season is the 2013 heartwarming comedy “Exit Laughing” by Paul Elliott. It is a sassy ode to female friendships. When the biggest highlight of your life is your weekly bridge game with the “girls,” what do you do when one of your foursome unexpectedly and inconveniently passes away? If you are Connie, Leona and Millie, best friends for 30 years, you do the most daring thing you’ve ever done. You “borrow” the ashes from the funeral home for one last card game, and the wildest, most exciting night of your lives. Bring on a police raid, a cheeky male stripper and soon the ladies get a whole new look at the fun you can have by truly living. Director Richard Johnson has a keen eye for comic situations and brings out the best in his five performers. Set designer Tonya Killavey creates a gorgeous two story house setting that is so realistic that you feel as if you could move right into it. Stage manager Olivia Sahlin keeps the cast on their toes and keeps things moving smoothly all night long.
Richard gives his performers some clever shtick to perform and they execute it splendidly. There are many one liners and lots of laughter all night long at the comic antics of these stellar performers. The play opens with Rachel upset about being stood up by a fellow college student, Bobby while her mother, Connie is upset about the death of Mary. Patty Mott returns to the Newport Playhouse stage after seven years and plays Connie, the strong stable one who is thrown for a loop by her friend’s death. She hasn’t gone out on a date in many years since her husband left her. However Mary teaches not only Connie but the other women to live life to the fullest and enjoy every day as much as possible.
Pamela Gill plays the sexy, Leona who is a constant flirt and heavy drinker. Her comic story about where a woman clad in purple hides her money is hilarious as are her other funny one liners. Shaelyne Colin-Grey is a hoot as Millie, the dim bulb. She shines in this role especially when she misconstrues definitions of different things especially funny is her description of oral sex. Connie’s disapproving daughter is well played by Katrina Rossi. She handles her enormous amount of dialogue wonderfully while doing slow burns at annoying situations around her. The only man in the cast is wonderfully played by Mike Tiberio in his first stage appearance at the Newport Playhouse. He plays Bobby, a cop who comes to apprehend someone but has a secret agenda that becomes heartwarming. Mike also has some revealing moments that have to be seen to be believed. Richard gives each member of his cast their moment to shine in this show. So for a laugh a minute comedy with plentiful delicious food at the all you can eat buffet before the show and the fun filled cabaret after it, be sure to catch “Exit Laughing” because you definitely will be as you leave this entertaining show. What a way to start off the 35th season with a bang.
EXIT LAUGHING (6 April to 12 May)
Newport Playhouse, 102 Connell Highway, Newport, RI
1(401)848-7529 or www.newportplayhouse.com
