Were I ever to teach a course in how to stage farce, I'd show a video of the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of "Don't Dress for Dinner" so that my students would know what not to do. Written by Marc Camoletti, the author of "Boeing-Boeing," the seven-door farce mounted to diverting effect by the Roundabout four years ago, "Don't Dress for Dinner" is a comparably complicated comedy about a pair of married philanderers (Adam James and Patricia Kalember), the people with whom they cheat (Jennifer Tilly and Ben Daniels), and a French cook of the utmost avariciousness (Spencer Kayden, who was so good in "Urinetown"). When done well, it's a hoot, but John Tillinger, the director, has made the amateurish mistake of encouraging his actors to troll aggressively for laughs instead of letting the situation generate them. Only Ms. Kayden resists the temptation to overegg the pudding, turning in a poker-faced performance that deserves to be remembered at Tony time. Everybody else, especially Mr. James, carries on like Cary Grant in "Arsenic and Old Lace," which is the quickest possible way to kill a farce stone dead.
Interesting observation, tazber. I'll start paying more attention to Mr. Teachout. If his reviews of DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER and LEAP OF FAITH are indicative (and they probably are) then this season ends with a very loud thud!
I seemed to enjoy the show MORE than the critics, but I don't disagree with them. They seem to get it right about two shows tonight - even if more harsh than my own thoughts.
And I couldn't agree more about Kayden -- she was delightful.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I feel bad for Ben Daniels who was (I thought) superb in his previous Broadway appearance, but from the video clip and the lack of any praise from the critics, this seems to have become such an unfortunate follow-up outing for him. Looking forward to seeing his next New York stage venture...
When I saw this show in London a number of years ago, I was wowed. It was one of the funniest, best done farces ever! Since then I've seen a regional theatre production and a community theatre production of the play and both also wowed me. I almost thought this was a hard-to-miss. All it takes is a director who really understands farce, and some talented actors who know how to deliver. Apparently one or both of those elements is dramatically missing from this production.
As a side note, I find Don't Dress for Dinner a much better written play with better jokes than Boeing, Boeing. Just goes to show what brilliant acting and a good director can do with an inferior script.
Patash, the Times also said that the play is much better constructed than Boeing, at least arguably. And reading of the plot I can see why. Warchus and Rylance (and, when I saw it, the outlandishly funny Missy Pyle; I'll never forget her and Rylance squabbling about Aix - AIIIIIIIIIXXX!) miraculously made Boeing a master class in how to turn a sow's ear (at least one of fairly good pedigree) into a silk purse.