BWW Reviews: The AMOROUS AMBASSADOR Keeps Audience Laughing

BWW REVIEWS: "The AMOROUS AMBASSADOR" - KEEPS THE AUDIENCE LAUGHING!
By Michael Parker and Susan Parker
Directed by Michael Cote
May 3, 2014 at 8:00 P.M.

The Carrollwood Players production of "The AMOROUS AMBASSADOR" keeps the audience laughing. This frivolous bedroom farce, by Michael Parker and Susan Parker is full of clichés, prat falls, bed swapping, mistaken identities, and slapstick humor.
The set by master scenic designer, James Cass, is the living room of the U.S. Ambassador to England. an elegant country home outside of London. There are several doors, (for the actors to run in and out of), including double French doors leading to the garden, complete with balustrades. Mr. Cass has an eye for detail and his set dressings are always remarkable. Kudos to lighting designer Frank Stinehour, for creating the perfect balance of light to perfectly see the action taking place in the darkness of the room.
The zany story line revolves around Harry Douglas, the new U.S. Ambassador to England, and his insatiable appetite for anything in a skirt. (And I mean ANYTHING!). He pretends to be going away to Scotland, on a golf trip for the weekend. In the meantime, his wife is going away to a health spa and his daughter will be visiting a friend...or so they say.
Mayhem prevails as the wacky weekend progresses, with all kind of nonsensical situations with his daughter and her boyfriend, the new butler, the secretary, the next door neighbor, and yes, even a Marine Captain.
Brandon Wagner is natural and at ease on stage as "Lecherousness Harry Douglas", the Amorous Ambassador. His physical humor added a great deal to his character, reminiscent of Bob Saget from television's "Full House".
As Lois Douglas, the Ambassador's wife, Wendy Robbins made the most our of her cameo appearance. Mandy Fields was spot on, as Debbie Douglas, the typical young, American woman. As Joe, Debbie's boyfriend, Zach "Hippie" Griswold provided a great deal of laughs is his split second change of characters. Constantine Kyriakou played Marine Captain South, to the hilt with his slapstick physical comedy.
Laura Roberts was perfectly cast, as the sexy coquette, next door neighbor Marian Murdoch. Ms, Roberts had a wonderful, consistent and easily understandable, accent. The befuddled and bewildered secretary, Faye Baker was played to audience delight, by Erika Heiden. Ms. Heiden's mere disheveled presence on stage, provoked giggles for her well defined character. Kelly Clow, as the very proper, British butler, Perkins, gives a stunning, show stopping performance. Mr. Clow IS Perkins. His every gesture, every facial expression, and impeccable comic timing, brings life to his character, commanding the stage. Bravo!
Director Michael Cote, adds some very clever and funny stage bits and business to the farce; and a well balanced sound design. Stage Manager Bob Moran kept things moving smoothly. The costume design is by Chante Knight and Amanda McLelland.
And so if you like a fun-filled "bedroom farce", Go See "The AMOROUS AMBASSADOR" and see for yourself what all the laughter is about!
Please support Community Theatre and all of the volunteers that put in endless time and talent, to make the magic happen, simply... "for the LOVE of the theatre".
For mature audiences.
"The AMOROUS AMBASSADOR"" runs April 25th - May 17th, 2014
Ticket Prices $18.00 There are special Student/Military and Senior discounts are available upon request
CALL - (813) 265-4000
The theatre is located at 4335 Gunn Hwy Tampa, Fl, 33618
The next production at Carrollwood Players is "CEMETARY CLUB",
June 13th - June 28th, 2014