SF Playhouse’s “The Play That Goes Wrong” Is Just Right to Bring Out One’s Giggles

by Darlene Jurow

SF Playhouse’s production of “The Play That Goes Wrong” is the epitome of a funny, yet frivolous slapstick stage show, with excellent split-timing effects that keeps the audience howling with laughter throughout.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” begins even before the curtain has been raised, and the audience is handed programs of the performance… but, uh, oh! They are given programs from various other productions… and are then told to give them back… it’s the leadup of mistakes that turn out to be the essence of the show.

The curtain is then raised and a troupe of actors at a ragtag company decides to present the 1920s murder mystery “The Murder at Haversham Manor”, which is somewhat like the “who dunnit’ production of “Clue”. However, the set is not yet complete and there is no time to finish it off… the show must go on!

Unfortunately, as the murder mystery gets underway the props begin to disappear, actors go missing, and the set even begins to collapse around, and even on, cast members! Mayhem ensues, but still, the cast struggles on. Still, not a single moment goes according to plan. It becomes, essentially a one-joke comedy, with one onstage mishap going wrong after another, and it keeps the audience in stitches!

The ensemble is quite talented, comprised of a number of local comic gems, including Phil Wong (Chris), Greg Ayers (Dennis), Patrick Russell (Robert), Tasi Alabastro (Trevor), Joe Ayers (Max), Adam Griffith (Jonathan), Renee Rogoff (Annie), and Erin Rose Solorio (Sandra).

While the ensemble is quite talented, the faulty props, scenery and technical mishaps, are perhaps the real stars of the show. Therefore, kudos go out to the backstage crew, including Cody Tellis Rutledge (Scenic Designer), Michael Palumbo (Lighting Designer), Dan Holland (Sound Designer), and Blue Hephaestus (Properties Designer), as well as Alicia Lerner, Ada May, Tiffany Cartagena, Kamaria Zora Atiba, and Quinton Barringere (Stage Management), who are just as much the stars of the show as the onstage performers.

Presented as a visual onstage slapstick mishap, “The Play That Goes Wrong” is certain to cause smiles and giggles galore. It’s a true kick in the pants comedy! It currently performs through November 9 at San Francisco Playhouse (450 Post Street, S.F.). For tickets or more information please phone (415) 677-9596 or visit www.sfplayhouse.org.

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Photo caption: Actors (l to r: Joe Ayers, Phil Wong, Renee Rogoff, Patrick Russell) try to keep the show on track in "The Play That Goes Wrong," presented by San Francisco Playhouse through November 9. (Photo Credit: Jessica Palopoli)