The Arlington Players’ current production of The Play That Goes Wrong is everything you didn’t know you needed to inject some levity and good-old slapstick silliness into an otherwise stressful and chaotic time. The comedy, written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, is about an amateur theater company putting on a murder mystery that goes horribly, terribly, hilariously wrong.
The play within a play begins with the welcoming of the audience to the opening of Cornley University Drama Society’s newest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor, by the company’s Director, Chris Bean (Eric Kennedy). Bean, who plays Inspector Carter, gently lowers the crowd’s expectations with some humorous call-backs to previous, not-so-successful productions. And the Stage Manager (Anastasia Brunk) announces that there is a dog in the show that has unfortunately gone missing. With no further context or actual concern, the adventure begins.
Apollo Young plays Charles Haversham, who has been murdered and is found (somewhat) unresponsive on the eve of his engagement party by his friend Thomas Colleymoore (Christopher Smith) and Butler Perkins (Judah Canizares). The duo is at first unsuccessful in entering the scene through a jammed door but manages to “sneak” on stage. They are soon joined by Haversham’s fiancée (and sister to Thomas) Florence Colleymoore (Mary Rodrigues), who displays all the markings of a melodramatic diva, and Charles’ brother Cecil Haversham (John Jennings), who almost immediately proves that the fourth wall simply does not exist in this realm.
As you can imagine, it becomes abundantly clear, quite quickly, that this group of thespians does not have their proverbial ducks in a row. At first, the flubs are small and subtle — the lights come up too soon for a scene, or someone mispronounces a word — but as the story progresses, the incidents become more frequent and impossible to ignore. The stretcher breaks, causing the dead Charles Haversham to inch-worm and roll himself off of the stage. Props are mixed up, an affair is revealed, and a sword fight evolves into a pantomimed exchange of “swooshes” and “clangs” once blades are broken.
I would not want to spoil all of the comedic trips, falls, and various misfortunes that befall the cast, but the prep and planning required to create the events that transpired effectively and safely is a huge feat.
The technical creatives and crew have done a phenomenal job on this production and deserve a standing ovation for their coordination and delivery of some spectacular effects.
Technical Director and Set Designer Skip Gresko, along with Scenic Designer Kimberly Leone and Lead Carpenter Tom O’Reilly, created a gorgeous home interior, which includes a door off left into a lift that then brings the actor to a second level, where there is an office. The platform for the elevated floor shares two walls with the rest of the interior and is supported by a single column. There is also a mantle, a large built-in rotating bookshelf, and a grandfather clock that steals a scene.
The Arlington Players’ The Play That Goes Wrong is delightfully fun, and the cast is full of charm and presence that make the whole experience one giant laugh fest. Actors are knocked unconscious multiple times, and a floor nearly collapses, but the show must go on!
The material is suitable for any age, and I highly recommend this show for families and anyone who could use a good chuckle. This wonderfully lighthearted and mood-lifting production features a plethora of spit-takes, mixed-up sound cues, and shenanigans galore. Do yourself a favor, grab some friends, and sit back to enjoy the good things in life while you can. Support live theater and encourage community.
Running Time: Approximately two hours, with one 15-minute intermission.
The Play That Goes Wrong plays through February 16, 2025, presented by The Arlington Players performing at the Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 South Old Glebe Road, Arlington, VA. Tickets ($30 for adults, $25 for seniors and military, and $20 for students and children) can be purchased online or by contacting The Box Office at 703-549-1063 or via email (TAP@thearlingtonplayers.org).
See the full program here.
The Play That Goes Wrong
By Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields
CAST
Chris Bean (Inspector Carter): Eric Kennedy; Robert Grove (Thomas Colleymoore): Christopher Smith; Max Bennett (Cecil Haversham/Arthur the Gardener): John Jennings; Dennis Tyde (Perkins): Judah Canizares; Trevor Watson (Lighting & Sound Operator): Alexandra Lagos; Jonathan Harris (Charles Haversham): Apollo Yong; Sandra Wilkinson (Florence Colleymoore): Mary Rodrigues; Annie Twiloil (Stage Manager): Anastasia Brunk; Stage Hand (Swing: Annie & Trevor): Idil Erdogan; Stage Hand (Swing: Sandra): Danielle Comer; Stage Hand (Swing: Chris/Max/Dennis): Jeremy Austin; Stage Hand (Swing: Robert/Johnathan): Luke Martin
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer: Laura Gouge and Steven Yates; Assistant Producer: Kristen Parody; Director: Maureen Dawson; Assistant Director: Allison Gray-Mendes; Stage Managers: Ramah Johnson and Maggi Richard; Assistant Stage Manager: Nolan Hughes and Meghann Peterlin; Technical Director/Set Designer: Skip Gresko; Scenic Designer: Kimberly Leone; Lead Carpenter: Tom O’Reilly; Lead Painter: Kimberly Leone; Prop Designers: Erin Branigan and Katherine Offutt-Ross; Set Dressing: Emma Bowers and Erin Branigan; Lighting Designers: Jeff Auerbach and Kimberly Crago; Sound Designer: Adam Parker; Sound Mixer: Kiersten Bowman; Costume Designer: Anna Marquardt; Hair and Makeup Designer: Robin Maline; Dialect Coach: Alden Michels; Fight Choreographer: Jillian Riti; Intimacy Choreographer: Jillian Riti; Clowning Expert: Matthew Pauli; Props Coordinator: Allison Gray-Mendes; Light Board Operator: Joni Hughes; Sound Crew: Colette Yeager; Run Crew: Kendal Billings, Katie Lewis, Lisa Nuccio, Amelia Rosegrant, and Nico Uy