Review: Something Very Funny Is Going On At AZ Broadway Theatre: LUCKY STIFF

Something very funny is going on at Arizona Broadway Theatre. LUCKY STIFF, the rib-tickling musical farce by the team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty is ringing out the company's hit-loaded 10th Anniversary Season with broad peals of laughter and a cast that you'll walk away loving.

Harry Witherspoon (Seth Tucker), an English shoe salesman stuck in the tedious tasks of foot-fitting and inventory, is rescued from the doldrums of his Walter Mitty life by an announcement that he is heir to $6 million. On one condition, however. That he take his deceased benefactor, Uncle Anthony to Monte Carlo for the fling that Anthony had never lived to enjoy. Otherwise, the inheritance goes to the dogs. To the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn, that is.

Thus, Harry dutifully pushes the classily clad wheelchair-bound Dead Body of Uncle Anthony (Tim Shawver) from one indulgence to another per Anthony's tape recorded instructions.

Meanwhile, Annabel Glick (Trisha Hart Ditsworth), representing the Dog Home, is on hand (perhaps, more accurately, on hound) to verify that Harry fulfills the terms of the will. If he deviates one iota from Anthony's prescribed schedule of activities, she'll report him and the fortune will certainly revert to the dogs.

Then there's Rita LaPorta (Abigail Raye), who has discovered to her dismay that the $6 million that she had embezzled from her husband and given to Anthony with whom she'd had an affair but whom she shot (accidentally!) upon discovering his infidelity is on its way to Europe with Harry and the corpse. She imposes upon her brother Vinnie (Leonardo Altafini) ~ whom, in her panic, she blamed for the theft and is now the target of a hit assigned by her hubby ~ to join her in the quest to retrieve the lucre! (Whew!)

From here, it's a madcap ride to a surprise ending. No spoilers in this review!

Evan Pappas has faithfully directed and choreographed this gem of manic Monte Carlo moments, splendidly accentuated by Kara Thomson's evocative set pieces.

Complementing Pappas's keen sense of staging is the perfect judgment of Cassandra Klaphake (ABT's Co-founder and Artistic Producer) in assembling a cast as good as gold, each bringing distinctive talent and flair to their roles. Here are just a few deserving special mention: Ms. Raye, exuding attitude and accent (Joisy-style) and a powerhouse voice; Heather Fallon, as a voluptuous cabaret singer, Dominique Du Monaco, giving a sexy, robust, and grinding lesson in Speaking French; Mr. Shawver, meriting a garland of roses for best prolonged poker face while playing dead.

LUCKY STIFF continues its very funny run at Arizona Broadway Theatre through September 20th.

Photo credit to Arizona Broadway Theatre