"Epic Proportions" - A Review

Last night I finally got a chance to see the show Epic Proportions at Marshall University, so let me just caution you - tonight's your last chance to catch it, and if you miss it, you're missing out on a lot of laughs.

The show takes the stage at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center, and it tells the "story behind the story" of the filming of a Biblical epic. It follows the story of two brothers who get swept up in the production.

The audience becomes part of the show in a clever way, as you play the part of the thousands of extras who fill out the classic film (don't worry, there's no heavy lifting required).

The most vital ingredient in any stage comedy is to have actors with great comedic skills, and this show has that in abundance. Playing the lead, Benny, is Chuck Herndon, and I've watched him grow from being a talented child actor in Huntington's community theatre into being an incredibly gifted adult actor. His comic timing is absolutely perfect, and he's terrific in the lead.

That's not to slight the rest of the cast:

- Emily Chapman is stunning and very funny as Louise, the sexy assistant director who aspires to greater things, and has the impossible job of keeping the extras under control.

- Chris Ferris plays Benny's ambitious brother Phil and does a great job at both comedy and the action scenes (you don't see too many sword fights in comedies).

- Jeremy Plyburn absolutely kills as D. W. DeWitt, the mastermind behind the film. His delivery is worthy of any Mel Brooks film.

- the supporting actors also turn in terrific work, including the radiant Alyssa Jimenez as the Queen of the Nile, the talented and funny Dylan Clark as Jack and Brady, Christian Whitt, who gets several great death scenes as Octavian, Nathan Mohebbi, who gets great laughs as the Slave Master and Cochette's Assistant, Scott Burner, one of the comical conspirators, along with Erik Woods and Rocky Scarbro, who take part in a very funny and laughably inept assassination scene, Caitlin Haught is a hoot as Cochette, the fashion designer, and Alisha Woodall has fun as a Dancing Girl.

- I should also mention the "best supporting voiceover" performance by my pal Clint McElroy - if you're doing a comedy, it's always a good idea to get him involved, since he has the sharpest comedic mind around.

As always with Marshall's productions, the set design, costumes and tech work is exceptional - the best in the business. Kudos as always to my pal Jack Cirillo, who directed this madness and turned it into a finely crafted comic masterpiece.

Honest to Pete, you're going to enjoy this show - but if you plan to go, I advise calling ahead to reserve tickets. Friday's show was a near sellout, and this is a show you don't want to miss. Just be ready to laugh. A lot!