Group rep Inspecting Carol Once Again

Inspecting Carol
by Daniel Sullivan & the Seattle Repertory Theatre Company
directed by Chris Winfield
Group rep @ Lonny Chapman
through January 2, 2011

Last mounted by Group rep in 2008, Daniel Sullivan's intelligent and very funny Inspecting Carol is a farcical look at a production of Dickens' A Christmas Carol by a regional theatre, in this case the fictional Soap Box Playhouse. Group rep's current superb cast make their second production of it a worthy view.

Beset by financial woes and desperate to keep a grant from the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts), the Soap Box Co will do just about anything to mount their benefit performance of A Christmas Carol. It's all about money. Of course what ensues, when a member of the NEA visits for inspection, is a delightful romp of mistaken identities and a slew of onstage mishaps. Everything that could go wrong does, all of which adds to the hilarity of the piece. Michele Bernath (Zorah) is the artistic director who has a reputation of being a sl--; well, let's say, she is a very giving woman, and will do what she must to get what she wants - for the sake of art, to be sure. Bernath is such a dandy actress, ever resourceful and a joy to watch, that she is a welcome addition to this cast.

Equally so is Judith E. as M J whose bossy and direct manner make things move. Doug Haverty as Wayne Wellacre, an amateur actor and fast-talker, literally talks his way into the company - they fear mistakenly that he is the NEA inspector. Haverty is drop dead funny with his over-the-top Richard III audition monologue and with his exaggerated stance as Tiny Tim. Larry Eisenberg is terrific as a befuddled Scrooge, and Robert McCollum Jr. a hoot as Walter, trying to figure out how to play not just one but all three ghosts; he hasn't a clue. Lareen Faye and Klair Bybee as two over-the-top and over-the-hill company members are just great, especially Faye stealing all of her scenes. Add Patrick Burke as an overly nervous secretary/accountant, Kent Butler, Steven Wasserman as a precocious child actor, and Diana Martin as Bart an inept stage manager to the brood and the laughs continue...

Director Chris Winfield does a great job up until the last half hour of Act II, where the slapstick needs to pick up and go faster. Also the last scene with the real inspector (Linda Alznauer) dressed up as the Queen of England needs more clarification. A scene leading to it needs to be further staged.
Winfield's set is spot perfect, and overall, this production is one very enjoyable ride and holiday treat.