Don't Dress for Dinner
November 6 - 21, 2009
Don't Dress for Dinner Now Playing!
by Marc Camoletti
Adapted by Robin Hawdon
November 6 - 21, 2009
Directed by Jill Stephens
Hilarious Comedy!
Dupree Theater
Irving Arts Center
3333 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Irving, TX 75062
Fridays & Saturdays, November 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 2009 at 8pm.
Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 8pm.
Sundays, November 8 & 15, 2009 at 2:30pm.
Don't Dress for Dinner is a frenetic case of mistaken identity with more twists than a corkscrew. When Jacqueline decides to visit her mother for a few days, her husband Bernard sees an opportunity for a cozy weekend with his new mistress. His bachelor pal Robert calls to announce his return from Hong Kong, so Bernard invites him along as his alibi, also hiring a Cordon Bleu-level cook to cater a delicious dinner. But when Jacqueline realizes Robert is coming for a visit everything changes, and the high speed farce begins! One impossible situation leads to another as the hapless friend Robert finds himself the target of both amorous attention and wrathful vengeance, while Bernard tries desperately to salvage a scrap of illicit bliss from the wreckage of a weekend.
PG
Reviews
"Don't Dress for Dinner"
Reviewed by Lyle Huchton,
Associate Theater Critic for John Garcia's THE COLUMN
Farce: 1: A comedy that entertains the audience with unlikely situations, disguise, and mistaken identity. 2: A fast paced plot whose speed increases, usually ending in an elaborate chase scene. 3: Don't Dress for Dinner, the current undertaking for ICT MainStage at The Dupree Theatre in the Irving Arts Center.
Like a shot being fired at the beginning of a race, that is how ICT's production starts off with this delicious little farce. From reading the program, I concluded that there would certainly be some sort of mistaken identity being that there was a character named Suzette and one named Suzanne. The set also offered me some clues as to the action of what was to transpire, seeing that there were 4 doors leading to different parts of the farmhouse. (Doors are another main element in a farce. I kept thinking of another farce, the comedy NOISES OFF: "All these doors!" "Oh only a handful really."
We first meet Bernard (J. Alan Hanna) and his wife Jacqueline (Nikki Andoga). Bernard is trying to pack his wife off for the weekend so that he can spend time with his mistress Suzanne, (Ginger Goldman) a Parisian model and actress. As his alibi, Bernard has invited his friend Robert (Brad Stephens). Finally Bernard has hired a chef, Suzette (Angela Allen) to cook them dinner.
When Jacqueline discovers that Robert has been invited for the weekend, she changes her plans to stay at home. It turns out that she and Robert happen to be lovers. In order to cover himself, Bernard convinces Robert to tell Jacqueline that he and Suzanne are lovers, who he confuses with Suzette.
Director Jill Stephens shows a true understanding of this type of frenzy comedy. She keeps the actors moving like mice caught in a maze, with bits of physical activity that never cross over to slapstick. She has also assembled one of the best ensemble casts I have seen to date. There is no tug-of-war here with each fighting for the attention. Each actor handles the script with all its twists and turns, with ease at a brake-neck speed.
Leading the race is J. Alan Hanna as Bernard. Mr. Hanna's physical actions are spot on. My only negative comment is that he at times rushes through his dialog and we lose some of what he is saying.
Nikki Andoga portrays Jacqueline his wife. She brings a calm, more thoughtful note to her character. Brad Stephens as Robert and Angela Allen as Suzette keep the festive pace rolling. Finally, exploding like a cherry bomb is Ginger Goldman as Suzanne.
Again, the ensemble work here is what most casts can only dream about.
The setting for this farce is to be a renovated farmhouse outside of Paris, France. This proved to be quite a challenge for set designer Erin Ball. The set was so out of proportion that it dwarfed the actors.
In addition to the lack of furniture, which would have allowed more obstacles for the actors to play around with, the painted wall paper was distracting and cartoonish. I felt so far removed from the action; I wanted to move my seat to the edge of the stage to be more involved. There is also a wide expanse between a chaise lounge and two well-placed chairs. The glaring white rug did not help at all to pull the room together. The set said more YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU than French farmhouse. The only feeling I got from it was that the owners have very poor decorating sense.
The costume design by Binnie Tomaro was effective enough to show character, but it needed a little more pizzazz. The French are famous for their fashion. For example, when the men changed into robes and pajamas, they should have been as sexy as what the women were wearing. There is also a bit with a fur coat. I realize that if this coat were a Chanel knock-off, no one would understand the jokes. I only mention this because in my research the coat in question is referred to as a Chanel. (Although, I have seen Anna Wintour, the editor of Vogue magazine, don a fur trimmed Chanel coat that would make your mouth water.) But this coat was too frumpy. As with all the costumes, I wanted them to be more fashion forward and sexy.
Having said that, it is the wonderful talents of the ensemble that make this a very worthy production to attend.
On a side note: In the lobby of the Dupree Theater there is a delightful exhibit of illustrations by children's book authors Leo and Diane Dillion. Get there early so you can enjoy these beautiful works of art.
"Don’t Dress For Dinner"
by Douglas Dodasovich
EDGE Contributor
Wednesday Nov 11, 2009
Photo by Mike Morgan
ICT MainStage opened it’s 2009-2010 season with the delectable farce Don’t Dress For Dinner featuring Kristin Chenoweth and Hugh Grant and that guy from The Sopranos. Or not. Confused? Welcome to a farce where no one is who they seem and everyone has something to hide. (We’ll get back to Kristen, Hugh and that guy from The Sopranos later.)
Don’t Dress For Dinner centers on pals Bernard and Robert. Bernard has arranged for his wife to be out of town for the weekend so he can have a romantic weekend with his mistress Suzanne with Robert serving as his alibi. However, when Bernard’s wife, Jacqueline, finds out that Robert is coming she cancels her plans because she and Robert are lovers. Robert reluctantly agrees with Bernard’s scheme to pretend that Suzanne is Robert’s girlfriend and waits at the cottage while Bernard and Jacqueline go shopping for the caterer that Bernard has hired. When the caterer Suzette arrives, Robert naturally assumes she is Bernard’s mistress, Suzanne. Suzette eventually agrees to go along with the plan and all four begin a quartet of performances each with their own motives. Stay with me. The real fun begins when Suzanne, Bernard’s real mistress, shows up and, despite being more comfortable with a cream de menthe than a Cream Brule, is forced to play the cook.
Don’t Dress For Dinner was written by Marc Camoletti (adapted by Robin Hawdon), a master of the modern French farce. This was Camoletti’s sequel to his signature piece, Boeing-Boeing, which opened in 1960 and played a staggering 19 years on the Paris stage. (It recently had a successful Tony-winning Broadway revival.) Dinner ran seven years in London’s West End and has long been a regional and community theatre staple. (A recent Chicago production is being slated for a Broadway run this Spring.) It contains the usual elements of farce: mistaken identities, improbable, twisting plots, broad physical humor, slamming of doors, sexual situations, double entendres and a lightening speed plot. In other words, Three’s Company and Frasier territory.
A light, frothy confection, ICT has a delicious hit due in no small part to a triumphant triumvirate of performances. Spicy, succulent Angela Allen (Suzette) plays over the course of the evening a girlfriend, a model, an actress, a prostitute, a niece, a wife and a cook. Allen has seemingly marinated in the role delivering the wordy dialogue and her shifts of characters with ease. Brad Stephens plays a befuddled Robert with zest. He’s a deft physical comedian reminiscent of the late John Ritter in his prime. And did I mention the more befuddled Robert becomes, the more Mr. Stephens looks like Hugh Grant? (Talent and eye-candy too.) Savory Ginger Goldman, who resembles either Chenoweth (to me) or Kyra Sedgwick (to my husband is a delight outshining everyone whenever she’s on stage. Every nuance, facial reaction and phrase is top-notch. Scott Nixon, looking like he stepped out of The Sopranos makes an effective memorable appearance late in the show. ICT mainstay Jill Stephens directs with confidence and keeps the action moving at a tight pace. A few subtle updates (wireless phones, references to Euros) work seamlessly.
If your idea of theater is a hearty seven-course meal, pass on this. However, if you’re in the mood for a decadent dessert with unexpected bursts of flavor, put Don’t Dress for Dinner on your grocery list.
Don’t Dress For Dinner runs through November 21, 2009 at the Dupree Theatre, Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, Texas. For more information visit the theater’s website.
Cast
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ANGELA ALLEN (Suzette) is excited to be in her second ICT show with director Jill Stephens after appearing in last year's NOISES OFF, which received 10 Column Award nominations, including Angela for Best Actress, as Belinda/Flavia. Some of Angela's favorite roles include Mabel/THE MOST FABULOUS STORY EVER TOLD (winner of Best Supporting Actress Column Award), Kathleen/TERRA NOVA (nominated for Best Supporting Actress Column Award), Ginger/THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, and Barbara/RUN FOR YOUR WIFE. Angela has performed at many local theatres including ICT MAINSTAGE, ONSTAGE in Bedford, FT. WORTH THEATRE, and HIP POCKET THEATRE. Angela would like to thank Mike for taking on extra at home so she can do what she loves. She would also like to thank the men and women serving in our military and encourages everyone to go to soldiersangels.org to adopt a soldier today! ~ |
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NIKKI ANDOGA (Jacqueline) is pleased to be making her ICT debut. Her most recent roles include Maria in Garland Summer Musical’s SOUND OF MUSIC, Pam in OnStage in Bedford’s THE FULL MONTY, and Woman 1 in several productions of I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE. Other favorite roles include Vicki in THE FULL MONTY and Rosemary in HOW TO SUCCEED…. She also toured the U.S for 2 years in The First National Broadway Tour of OKLAHOMA! Nikki funds her theatre habit working full time at Microsoft through the vendor CompConTech, and sends her thanks to her team for their patience and support. Most importantly, she thanks her family for always being her biggest fans and especially Blake, who makes everything worth it. ~ |
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GINGER GOLDMAN (Suzanne) is excited to be making her stage debut with ICT. She most recently performed in Echo Theatre’s OVERTONES at this summer’s FIT Festival. Some of her favorite roles include Saint Monica and Mother Teresa in Risk Theater Initiatives' THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT and the various characters she portrayed in her one-woman show entitled FRANCINE'S MITZVAHS, which she wrote and directed. She was honored with a Leon Rabin award for best supporting actress for her portrayal of six wacky characters in Second Thought Theatre's WONDER OF THE WORLD. She has a thing for extreme double casting! Ginger holds a BA in theatre from The University of Southern California and an MA in theatre from Texas Woman's University. She is represented by the Kim Dawson Agency . ~ |
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J. ALAN HANNA (Bernard) is glad to be working with ICT again after directing SHERLOCKS LAST CASE this past season and appearing as Ray-Bud/DEARLY DEPARTED a couple of seasons ago. He has been involved in performing, directing, choreographing, stage managing, set designing and many other aspects of theatre producing for many years. He has worked with such organizations as Lyric Stage, Theatre Three, Plano Repertory Theatre, Deep Ellum Opera Theatre, Greater Lewisville Community Theatre, Theatre Arlington, Garland Civic Theatre and Richardson Theatre Centre—just to name a few! He is also the resident Stage Manager for Garland Summer Musicals and choreographed the SOUND OF MUSIC for their 2009 season as well. Alan would like to thank Carlos “LU”, his family and friends for their support. ~ |
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SCOTT NIXON (George) is pleased to be returning to ICT MainStage in DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER. Scott has previously been seen in ICT productions, HEAVEN CAN WAIT, THE UNEXPECETED GUEST, THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER, DEATH: TAKE/1 and ANOTHER MURDER, ANOTHER SHOW IN LIVING BLACK AND WHITE and LILIES OF THE FIELD. Scott has appeared in numerous productions including THE THREEPENNY OPERA, SOUTH PACIFIC, KISMET, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF & CAMELOT starring John Cullum. Scott is serving his second term with the ICT Board of Directors and will be co-producing THE LION IN WINTER next Spring. ~ |
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BRAD STEPHENS (Robert) is delighted to return to ICT MainStage having appeared last season as George in ALL MY SONS. Brad recently closed Gilbert & Sullivan's THE MIKADO at Artisan Center Theater playing the role of Nanki-Poo. Other local stage credits include Juror #7/TWELVE ANGRY MEN for Poor Man Productions, Bob Cratchit/EBENEZER SCROOGE at Pocket Sandwich Theatre, and Chris/ALL MY SONS at Mesquite Community Theatre for which he won the 2008 MCT People's Choice Award for best actor. ~ |
Crew
JILL STEPHENS (Director) has directed many shows for ICT over the last 25 years. Including NOISES OFF, THE UNEXPECTED GUEST, MOVE OVER MRS. MARKHAM, WAIT UNTIL DARK, TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, LEND ME A TENOR, A MY NAME IS ALICE and THE MIRACLE WORKER. In addition she directed 10 productions for the ICT Children’s theatre which she founded. During the day she is the part time administrator for ICT.
ERIN BALL (Set Designer) welcomes the opportunity to work with ICT again after a brief stint as a set painter for the theatre's production of ALL MY SONS. Recent credits include Props Designer for Garland Summer Musicals THE SOUND OF MUSIC and MAME, Director for Greater Lewisville Community Theatre's SIDE MAN, and Assistant Director/Set Painter for GLCT's TRAVELING TRAVESTIES.
SAM NANCE (Lighting Designer) is resident lighting designer this season for ICT MainStage where his most recent work was HMS PINAFORE. He is the resident lighting designer for Pegasus Theatre where he has lit their innovative “living black and white” shows for a number of years as well as their more colorful presentations. Other companies that have seen his light, include the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas, Dallas Theater Center, Theatre Britain, the Lois Pope Theater in Florida and Theatre Three. Shows include WOODY GUTHRIES AMERICAN SONG, THE LION IN WINTER, CATHOLIC SCHOOL GIRLS, AND A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM. He has received two Column Awards for his lighting of THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at Theatre Three and NINE at ICT.
BINNIE TOMARO (Costume Designer) returns to costuming for ICT MainStage after an absence of seven years. She has been involved with ICT since 1979 and has served many of those years on the Board of Directors. She has been Producer for many ICT productions and costumer for even more, ie: SWEENY TODD-THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, GUY'S AND DOLLS,& A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. She also makes specialty props, ie: Sister Mary Annette in NUNSENSE, and the Pig in BIG RIVER. Binnie wishes to thank Jill for this opportunity.
ROBIN STEPHENS (Sound Designer/Master Carpenter) has been working with ICT in many capacities since 1986. He has produced and designed Lighting and Sound for many shows. Previously he served as Master Carpenter for NINE, NOISES OFF, and HMS Pinafore. He was honored to be a recipient last year of The Column’s Rudy Seppy Award. Robin is a current member of the ICT Board of Directors.
EVELYN G. HALL (Stage Manager) is very excited to be working with Jill as stage manager. Evelyn has stage managed and produced many shows over the past 15 years with ICT and far too many to count when she lived in Connecticut. Some of her favorite shows have been CHICAGO, TEN LITTLE INDIANS, THE ROYAL FAMILY, and YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU. She is thrilled to be working with such a talented cast and crew. Evelyn is Vice President of ICT and is a new member of the Board of Directors for the Column Awards.
JO ANNE HULL (Producer) has designed props and set dressing for many ICT shows including BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, CRIMES OF THE HEART, NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY, PROOF and last season’s SHERLOCK’S LAST CASE. She enjoys the challenge of those “just right and hard to find” items that allow her to indulge and excuse her attraction to thrift shops, garage sales and antique stores. Jo Anne is an ICT Board Member.
Auditions
Directed by Jill Stephens
Sunday, September 13, 2009 from 2 - 4pm
Monday, September 14, 2009 from 7 - 9pm
Performances: November 6 - 21, 2009
Call 972-594-6104 to schedule an appointment.
Roles: 3 Male, 3 Female
(20's to 40's)
(all roles are available)
