Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Newport Playhouse’s second show of their 35th season is “Remember Me” by Sam Bobrick. On the surface it seems that Brian and Mary Hanson seem to have a very comfortable marriage after 25 years. He is a tax attorney and she’s an interior decorator. They seem to have it all. Then one day after Brian leaves to play tennis, Mary’s old college boyfriend, Peter Lawrence shows up or does he? Mary and Brian have to sort things out with Brian eventually hiring a dimbulb actress to try to fool Mary. But will the couple live happily every after? Will Peter wreck their happiness? Will Tori, the young actress bring them together or drive them apart? For these and other unanswered questions, be sure to catch “Remember Me” which will leave you laughing in the aisles while bringing up some funny relationship situations that audiences can readily relate to. The gorgeous purple colored living room set is by Tonya Killavey. Hard working stage managers Olivia Sahlin and Lauren Beaudoin keep things running smoothly all night long.
Director Daniel Lee White picks topnotch performers to play these four roles. Many funny situations abound with Brian constantly drinking Mary’s coffee before leaving for his game and forgetting to kiss her before he leaves. Pamela Lambert commands the stage as Mary. Her comic one liners, her facial expressions and line delivery are terrific. Some of her funniest moments include deep breathing exercises with both men and saying her dream fantasy was Henry Kissinger when it was actually Harrison Ford. Michael Johnson plays the worried husband, Brian. His clever antics leave you in stitches. His slow burns and constant exasperation are hilarious. He also sprays foot spray and gets a fire extinguisher to banish Peter from their lives. He also spits out a muffin after saying it tastes like foot spray. Is their humdrum marriage in trouble or is it just a figment of the imagination. Great job by both leads.
Jonathan Perry is seductive as the long lost boyfriend, Peter. He brings up many memories of the past to entice his girlfriend of the past by unbuttoning his shirt and give her shoulder and massages. He also has a comic scene later on in the show where he appears without a shirt at after mad passionate lovemaking. The second act contains a surprise about Peter after he gets punched in the face. Charles Kehres plays Peter on the weekends. The biggest scene stealer of the show is Katrina Rossi as Tori. She makes many inappropriate comments like being a vegetarian but eats shrimp and prime rib, is an actress but never had any lines and likes Shakespeare because she loves his movies. Tori also likes to climb on the furniture and takes off her shoes to do so and she also insults everyone winning many laughs while doing so. One of her funniest lines to Brian is “Boy, are you needy.” Katrina is reminiscent of Lesley Ann Warren from “Victor/Victoria” movie with her hilarious speaking voice. So for a fun filled show with an all you can eat buffet before it and an entertaining cabaret afterwards, be sure to catch “Remember Me” at the Newport Playhouse.
REMEMBER ME (31 May to 1 July)
Newport Playhouse, 102 Connell Highway, Newport, RI
1(401)848-7529 or www.newportplayhouse.com
