On Stage - "Noises Off!"

A few more notes about the funny show Noises Off that runs this weekend and next in City Hall's Auditorium.

First, a comment emailed in by my pal Paul Neace:

Noises Off is that rare show for which I will travel many miles to see, having seen it more than any other play, and for which I will audition regardless of the circumstances.

Having played the role that Michael is portraying I can honestly say that everything he says is quite accurate. There isn't a funnier, more challenging and, therefore, more rewarding theatrical experience.

The set plays as much of a role as do any of the actors and the audience should come away with a very satisfied feeling of just having seen something special... not to mention their sides hurting from laughing so hard. I'm looking forward to seeing this interpretation.

Thanks, Paul!

Now let's catch this story from today's Herald-Dispatch as written by my pal Angela Henderson-Bentley:

Beginning this weekend, theater-goers will have the chance to see everything that can go wrong behind the scenes of a play. But that's exactly what they're supposed to see since it's all part of the fun.

The City of Huntington Foundation's 5th Avenue Theatre Company will present Noises Off! Friday, Sept. 9, through Sunday, Sept. 11, and Friday, Sept. 16, through Sunday, Sept. 18, in the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium at Huntington City Hall, 824 5th Ave. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m., with the Sunday performances at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling (304) 696-5522. The play does contain some adult language.

"Noises" is a comedy which follows a group of actors performing the play, "Nothing's On!" Forgotten lines and entrances, complete emotional breakdowns and a love triangle behind the scenes lead to a very interesting performance.

"I lovingly refer to it as a carnival of farce, because that's exactly what it is," said Stephanie Kay Sands, the play's director. "It is a play within a play. It is the absolute ultimate play for theater people because it showcases how actors are on and off stage and all the dramas that happen.

"It kind of lets the audience in on all of the shenanigans that happen in order to get a production up and running," Sands said. "And it's nothing but non-stop laughs. It's great."

The cast includes several veterans of Tri-State theater, including Mary Williams, Greg Kiser, Kate Morris, Michael Naglee, Leann Haines, James Holley, Alison Smith, J. Roger Hagley and Mike Murdock.

"It's actually been quite interesting," Sands said. "It sort of has turned into 'Noises Off' backstage as well as onstage. We've got the one actor obsessed with props and the other actor has to ask why we're doing everything. But it's been great."

The cast has been very important behind-the-scenes as well as they worked together to build the set. "They actually came in on their own free time and everyone here has been wonderful," Sands said. "They chip in, they help with props, they help with costumes. There's not a single person who hasn't pitched in."

The set is a pretty complicated one as it rotates to show both the set and backstage of the play within the play. "It's a little bit of a game of Tetris during the intermission, but it works," Sands said. "There is a method to the madness."

The set features seven doors, one window and two sets of stairs. "I think it's the best thing that's been on the stage," Sands said. "It's really cool. And it's really pretty much a rat race thing. I'm really proud of the actors for knowing how all this works."

Sands is excited for an audience to finally see what the cast and crew have been working on for the past six months. "This is going to be the end-all, be-all show of shows," Sands said.