by Sue Nedar
The current offering from the award-winning Newport Playhouse is, “There’s A Burglar In My Bed’ by Michael Parker. “Burglar”, a fast-paced, madcap farce where timing is everything, is expertly directed by long-time Playhouse favorite, Tony Annicone.
Take a wealthy sixty-something year old couple, both having affairs with twenty-something year old fortune seekers, a two million dollar necklace, a bumbling detective, a voluptuous seductress, and a slightly confused accomplice to a hair-brained plot. Throw in lots of doors (can’t have a farce without lots of doors,) two ill-advised plans to steal the necklace, prat falls, one-liners, and some good, old fashioned fun, and you’ve got Tony’s “There’s A Burglar In My Bed!”Th
We first meet the Worthington’s – Billy and Ashley, played by Rick Bagley and Sandra Nicastro, as they both converge on the couple’s beach house where they’ve, unbeknownst to the other, both arranged trysts with their substantially younger lovers, Buffy and Teddy, played by Rebecca Christie and Josh Fogarty. The premise is funny enough, but when you throw in the impeccable timing of these four actors, you can’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation.
As each adulterous couple hatches a scheme to rid themselves of the other Worthington, all centering around the family heirloom two million dollar necklace; it becomes apparent that they’ll need help to pull it off. Enter hotpants Marianne Van Kleef (known to be VERY friendly) played by Tonya Killavey, Private Detective William Davis, played by Lou Perrotta, and Buffy’s sister Deborah, played by Sarah Reed. Each actor adds an hysterical layer to the farce. Killavey is perfect as the willing seductress, Perrotta plays the bumbling, clumsy detective to a tee, and Reed gets the laughs with her innocent portrayal of the accomplice.
“There’s A Burglar In My Bed” is fast paced and funny. In order for the script to work, the cast has to be on point with their lines and their entrances and exits – and they are! Tony has directed another winner, and he’s topped the cupcake with his perfect choices in music throughout. Pay attention to the music! You’ll see what I mean.
So for two hours of laugh-out-loud farcical comedy, be sure to check out “There’s A Burglar In My Bed” at the Newport Playhouse, running now through October 6th. Call 401-848-7529 for your tickets, which includes the famous Playhouse Buffet – an all you can eat extravaganza!
There’s a Burglar in My Bed (7 September to 6 October)
Newport Playhouse, 102 Connell Highway, Newport, RI
1(401)848-7529 or www.newportplayhouse.com
