Reviews: Laughs, a little wisdom, from 3 plays on Cape Cod: 'Pippin,' 'Wonka, 'Noises Off.'

ORLEANS ― Set in England, “Noises Off” follows a theater production of a sex play called “Nothing On” where the theater group tries desperately to finalize its performance before opening night while everything from lines being forgotten to props being lost wreaks havoc on the stage as the director struggles to get it right in time. After pulling it all together, the drama moves backstage as all the characters' personal lives collide behind the scenes leading to an hilarious final performance for the ages.

See it or not?  Definitely see it. This may be the most fun you’ll ever have at a play and the most you will ever laugh out loud (part of my enjoyment is hearing my wife laugh from beginning to end). The acting is top-notch and the set is incredible.

Highlight of the show: The set was the biggest the Academy has ever constructed, in three pieces total, put together by Academy newcomer Nick Dorr and Mark Roderick. 

Fun fact:   Mark Roderick, who plays the lead, Gary Lejeune, as well as working on the incredible set, said the performance is the silliest slapstick comedy you will see that took an incredible amount of mental discipline to pull off, far more difficult than any drama would.

Worth noting: The play is in three acts. During the two intermissions, the performers spend their whole time not relaxing or practicing lines, but moving the enormous stage around to get ready for the next act. It’s a complete team effort and it’s incredible to watch.

One more thing: This is not a play where you can single out one actor’s performance to focus on.  Each actor is THAT incredible from Roderick as Gary Lejeune, Julia Randall as maid Dotty Otley, Dan Rabold as the love-struck director Lloyd Davis, Missy Potash as the sexy Brooke Ashton, Rachel Walman as the bumbling stage manager Poppy Norton-Tayker, Keith Chamberlain as perennial nose-bleeder Frederick Fellowes, Erica Morris as theatre champion and go-to friend-for-all Belinda Blair, Jace Carpenter as tired repairman Tim Allgood and Nick Dorr as the lovable drunk actor Selsdon Mowbray.

If you go: Tickets, $25-$35, runs through May 12, 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays at The Academy of Performing Arts, Orleans, www.academyplayhouse.org/tickets

Jay Pateakos

Falmouth Guild stages 'Willy Wonka'

I was secretly hoping the cast would throw lots of chocolate into the audience but I had to use my imagination instead to taste all the yummy treats described in Falmouth Theatre Guild’s delicious production of “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka.” Their big stage easily accommodates over 40 actors and a big set with lots of technical treats. Adorable little Oompa Loompas warn of consequences to be suffered by naughty children and the oddball entrepreneur, Willy Wonka, is mysterious, has a sadistic streak and may be a little bit magic. He seems to be a force for good though it’s hard to tease that out during the telling of the story with all the scary bits thrown in. There’s a big reward waiting for loving and destitute little Charlie Bucket, whose life, along with his down-and-out but always positive family, will drastically change for the better when he least suspects it. This rags-to-riches story of redemption, as any story with this theme, never gets old.

Written by: Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley; Adapted for Stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald and based on the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl.

What it’s about: A poor little English kid, Charlie Bucket, lives in a shack with his parents and four grandparents. The only food they eat, with the exception of a very rare Wonka chocolate treat, is cabbage soup. It’s a good thing the shack isn’t airtight! A sadistic psychopath who owns a giant and innovative chocolate factory in town needs an heir so he can retire.  He hides five golden tickets in chocolate bars that are circulated world-wide and whoever finds one gets a tour of the factory and chocolate for life.  The final child to find a golden ticket is Charlie.  Five "lucky" children, each with a parent, are shown specific rooms within the factory. It becomes apparent that each room will tempt one of them, according to their personal weakness.  In spite of clear warnings from Wonka, each predictably disobeys and, one by one, are picked off until only Charlie remains. He is sent packing too, but his sense of honesty makes him turn around to confront Wonka.

Those familiar with the story ― likely practically everyone ― will find the show delightful, because it is.  However, for a person who reached adulthood and still managed to miss reading the book or seeing the movie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” the implied violence is unsettling.

See it or not:  Directors Lisa Jo Rudy and Victoria Santos are top-drawer kid-wranglers who manage 40-plus "kids" of all ages who are clearly having a great time.  Somehow the littlest actors skip onto the stage on time, for the most part, which indicates that there must be a lot of help backstage. The set is cleverly designed and includes a large-scale video on the backdrop plus good sound and technical effects. There’s an 8-piece orchestra to boot that accompanies the many familiar songs from this classic show, like "The Candy Man."

This is a show for everyone and it’s a good night out that won’t make you think about anything other than having a good time.

Highlight of the show: Cuteness overload in Act II is not to be missed! About 14 little girls (the Oompa Loompas) with green wigs and adorable green ballet slippers with red sparkly pom poms on their tiny feet concentrate intently to remember their choreography and words to their songs.  Some present with complete confidence and others have a deer-in-the-headlights countenance that may transform to more pleasurable expressions as time goes on.  Besides the smile-inducing Oompa Loompas that double as squeaking squirrels, there are some great moments featuring Jackson Murchison as Charlie Bucket.  He’s a standout, both in his body movement and his ability to sing.  He has an impressive vocal range and he doesn’t hold back when he gets the chance to shine.

Interesting fact: Roald Dahl (1916 – 1990), author of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” also wrote other blockbuster children’s stories including “Matilda” and “James and the Giant Peach.” Roald Dahl Day is celebrated around the world on Sept. 13 to honor this amazing story-teller who has sold at least 250 million books and has seen many of his stories adapted for stage and screen.

Worth noting: Keirnon McDermott is Willy Wonka, a role made famous by Gene Wilder in the 1971 movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." McDermott has some challenging music to sing.  Opening night jitters may have thrown him off a bit but he’s a convincing, creepy Wonka and is fun to watch. Matt Newcombe as the Candy Man is charming and happy, a huggable type that lights up any spot where he stands.  He gets the best solo “Candy Man”  and does it with gusto.

One more thing: There are some nice musical and emotional moments at various times, such as when Murchison sings “Think Positive” with Rob Bowerman as Mr. Bucket.  The warm relationship Murchison maintains with Ian Rubinstein as Grandpa Joe is heartwarming and is a light in the darkness of the Bucket family’s economic trouble. Audrey Wankel as the awful child Veruca Salt dances prettily around the stage in contrast to her coddled character’s persona.  It’s both attractive and a little confusing because her dancing makes you want to like her but her character is decidedly unlikable.

If you go: 7:30 Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, through May 12 at the Falmouth Theatre Guild, 58 Highfield Drive, Falmouth. $30 adults, $28 Seniors and $25 under 18 (includes $3 service fee); info@falmouththeatreguild.org or 508-548-0400.

Shannon Goheen

'Pippin' musical in Yarmouth is edgy allegory

DENNIS ― Famed choreographer Bob Fosse directed “Pippin” when it first appeared on Broadway 51 years later, Fosse’s distinctive style ― sexy with a touch of dark danger ― is all over Eventide Theatre Company’s production of the magical musical.

And it works.

Fosse’s call for sharply angled knees and elbows, with occasional jazz hands and perfect rhythm, starts early and especially shows in "Manson Trio," a dance of the leading player(s) and one member of the troupe. It is precisely turned out.

Noting in the program that the leading player ― a guide to the story of “Pippin”  ― is not a gender-specific role, Eventide Executive Artistic Director Donna Wresinksi cast both a man and a woman in the role.

The interaction between Alex Valentine and Morgan Dexter is wonderful, both in what they say and what they simply show with body language.

What is 'Pippin' about?

Costume designer Tami Trask Good has performers in fishnets and hi-cut leotards, which evoked thoughts of another Fosse hit, “Cabaret” where Nazis were the advancing threat. Here, in this coming-of-age story, the danger is in simply growing up and not falling in with the wrong crowd.

If you think adulting is hard, you should see how difficult it is for Pippin, son of King Charlemagne, to find his musical “Corner of the Sky.”

The show: “Pippin,” music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz; book by Roger O. Hirson; presented by Eventide Theatre Company on the Gertrude Lawrence Stage at Dennis Union Church. Directed by Donna Wresinksi, music direction by Malcolm Granger, choreography by Johanna Stipetic.

What it’s about: Based loosely on historical figures, Pippin (Max Dexter) finishes his schooling and comes home as King Charles’ (Alex Lucchesi) eldest son. He tries taking his father’s job (Charlemagne in real life) and remaking the kingdom; when that doesn’t work, he spends a year with a widow and her son, but then leaves them and tries joining the traveling actors and nearly dies trying to impress the troupe in this visually stunning allegory.

High points and low: Kaleigh Mason, playing the widow Catherine, has a lovely voice and fine comic timing. Dexter, whom the program notes as having started his acting career on this stage at age 5, is fearlessly physical, being thrown around the stage after he decides chasing all women is part of his growing up.  Dexter’s voice is pleasant but not as controlled as that of his co-star.

As Pippin’s live-life-to-the-fullest grandmother, Bertha, veteran performer Lynne Johnson is clearly comfortable on stage and having the time of her life. With her harem-like costume, she is a brunette Barbara Eden in TV’s “I Dream of  Jeannie.” Bertha is happy, spicy, lusty and probably inappropriate for kids under 10.

The band sounded great, especially keyboardist Misao Koyama who played nearly every moment of “Pippin” for two hours or so.

A note: “Pippin” is magical, funny and absurd, making the first act feel a bit disjointed. But the ending was serious, stunning and totally enthralling, which the audience rewarded with several minutes of absolute silence as it unfolded.

Interesting note: Ben Vereen was the leading player in the 1972 original cast and kept the role for the 1981 movie.

Almost forgot: One character is left lying on stage during intermission and, on opening night, a couple of theatergoers took a selfie with his “body.” Not as grim as it sounds, just part of the fun.

Go or no go? If you enjoy the sound and feel of being at a carnival, you will especially enjoy this coming-of-age tale, which Eventide presents with energy and creativity. Theater organizers said it was also the most costly show Eventide has ever done.

When and where: “Pippin” at Eventide Theatre Company, 713 Main St., Dennis, 508-233-2148, $35 general admission, through May 12, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays, 2 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sunday, May 12. Performers are doing a talk-back after the Sunday, May 5, sold-out performance. There is a waiting list. More info: eventidearts.org

Gwenn Friss

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Reviews: Cape stages host colorful shows: 'Wonka,' 'Pippin,' 'Noises Off.'