Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Come on down to Texas, you all and the current comedy dinner show at the Newport Playhouse. “The Lone Star Love Potion” by Michael Parker kicks off the 36th season for this theatre with a bang. Mr. Stancliffe, the owner of a vast fortune and a two hundred thousand acre ranch in Texas has passed away. His long time butler, Jarvis and the maid, Melody along with Patrice, Mr. Stancliffe’s only living relative are there for the reading of the will by the family lawyer, Mr. Oakfield. Also there is Patrice’s husband, Michael and a neighbor Tammy Jo who is also mentioned in the will. Later on a dowdy ornithologist , Mary Lou appears on the scene. It is a very rainy evening and they all are trapped in the house because the bridge is flooded by the rain. Also found in the safe is a secret love potion that makes whomever ingests it to become irresistible to the person who smells it. This becomes a prize wanted by many of them especially the very amorous, Michael who wants every woman in sight especially Melody, the maid. Throw in many pratfalls, mistaken identities and wrong lovers here and there and everywhere and you have the necessary ingredients for this hilarious farce. Director Daniel Lee White creates the shtick to leave the crowd laughing all night long. The first entrance of the maid is hysterical with her balancing a tray while tumbling over a sofa and never dropping a thing while doing so. He gives each performer their moment to shine in the show. Tonya Killavey and Jacob Davis create a gorgeous unit set of living room and bedroom that is so realistic that one longs to move in lock, stock and barrel.
Leading this cast as the proper British butler is Rick Bagley. His accent and delivery of zinging one liners to put people in their place is astounding and well done. The biggest scene stealer of the night is Audrey Robinson as the clumsy maid who might not be as dumb as she seems. Her physical comedy skills are fabulous and when she chases Michael around the house threatening to take care of his family jewels in many and various ways are laugh out loud moments.
The prim and proper Patrice is wonderfully played by Emily Charleton who may not be as prim and proper as you might believe. She starts to plot and plan to wrest the ranch and love potion from Jarvis in various and sundry ways. Her many facial expressions of disgust are wonderful to behold as she tries to control her naughty hubby. Patrice’s lecherous husband, Michael is played to the hilt by Jonathan Perry who found time to play this role as well as run the Playhouse that he has owned for 36 years. His lusting after the maid and swilling down the love potion to capture her and the other attractive women in the house are laugh out loud moments. The constant smacking of the family jewels and his facial expressions are priceless.
The nerdy, mild mannered lawyer with horn rimmed glasses is well played by Richard Johnson. He seems very straight laced at first but has very comic moments while trying to get into the various bathrooms in the mansion in the second act. Richard also jumps out a window with hilarious results. Sarah Reed is also very funny as Tammy Jo. She has one of the best lines in the show about men’s brains spilling out once they undo their zippers. Her comical antics leave you laughing in the aisles. Rebecca Christie appears as the meek and mild, Mary Lou who becomes so caught up in the shenanigans that she is totally transformed in the second act while she runs roughshod over the men who won’t do her bidding. A whip figures heavily in this sequence. So for a riotous way to start the 36th season in Newport, be sure to catch “The Lone Star Love Potion” at the Newport Playhouse. The sold out house ate heartily at the all you can eat buffet before the show and enjoyed a lively and entertaining Cabaret after the show. I have many happy memories of this show having played Mr. Oakfield back in 2002 and am pleased to review it as my 1800th review. Stage manager Olivia Sahlin keeps things running smoothly all night long.
THE LONE STAR LOVE POTION ( 21 February to 31 March)
Newport Playhouse, 102 Connell Highway, Newport, RI
1(401)848-7529 or www.newportplayhouse.com
