Brilliant acting makes "Allergist's Wife" easy pill to swallow

Playing north of the city at the Apple Tree Theatre in Highland Park, is the delightful comedy, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, by Charles Busch. Winner of the Outer Critics Circle Award in 2000 and nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play in 2001, the story takes place in New York City, about a wealthy Jewish allergist and his neurotic wife, Marjorie. Marjorie is going through a mid-life crisis because her children are grown, her therapist has died, and her guilt-tripping mother lives down the hall. She tries to lose herself in a world of art galleries, foreign films and theatre, but finds she is barely able to get off of the couch. Her spirits are suddenly lifted when Lee, an intriguing and incredibly worldly friend from her childhood, appears on her doorstep. Lee is Marjorie's savior, who infuses her with life, but quickly turns out to be a conniving sex-maniac who becomes an unwelcome houseguest.

Not to be out done by Scrofano is Hollis Resnik's mesmerizing, mysterious and surprisingly sultry childhood friend, Lee. Resnik's charm and charisma has you believing every word she says and you can't get enough of her. The show is not as vivid when she is offstage. Scrofano and Resnik make acting look so natural that you actually find yourself forgetting you are out at the theatre, but instead over at a close friend's apartment.
Rounding out the cast is Renee Matthews as Marjorie's mother, John Reeger as Marjorie's stage and real life husband, and the doorman played by Vishal Patel. Each of these actors owns the stage when delivering their lines, and they are all an absolute treat to watch.

The awkward layout of the theatre makes it difficult for director Kurt Johns to move the actors seamlessly around the stage. There were too many instances when actors were saying lines with their backs to part of the audience, which is a shame since the actors' strong facial expressions were hilarious to watch. Set designers Richard and Jacqueline Penrod succeed in capturing a plush New York City apartment but fail to give the actors proper breathing room. With the difficult layout of the theatre they should have planned the design of their set to use fewer walls so the audience did not have to strain their necks to see several of the scenes.

To reiterate, this show is full of brilliant performances by all the actors who simply enjoy making the audience laugh.

The Taleof the Allergist's Wife
When: Through March 19th
Where: Apple Tree Theatre, 595 Elm Place, Highland Park, IL
Prices: $35 - $45
 

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