THE HANGOVER REPORT – Roundabout’s NOISES OFF hilariously lives up to its reputation

no3Michael Frayn’s Noises Off has been famously touted the funniest play ever written. Now that’s quite a statement to live up to. Indeed, in the wrong hands, Mr. Frayn’s farce-within-a-farce can be a trying experience. However, as performed by the sterling cast now slamming doors and generating considerable heat on the stage of the American Airlines Theatre – courtesy of a beautifully appointed (the sets are by Derek McLane) Roundabout Theatre Company production – I really can’t argue that nearly impossible statement. In fact, let’s celebrate it.

Directed with great confidence and panache by Jeremy Herrin (who directed last season’s very different and very large stage adaptation of Wolf Hall), the current revival is both carefully considered yet fast and loose enough to manically keep topping itself. Act 3 is inspired lunacy of the highest order and the stuff of theater legend. Although the 2001 revival of Noises Off was certainly enjoyable, it featured an uneven cast (although who can forget Katie Finneran’s hilarious Tony-winning antics?). This time around, however, the cast is sheer perfection from top to bottom: Andrea Martin, Campbell Scott, Tracee Chimo, Daniel Davis, David Furr, Kate Jennings Grant, Megan Hilty, Rob McClure, and Jeremy Shamos. I really can’t single anyone out; they’re all part of a larger comic tapestry that’s much larger than the sum of its considerable parts. Simply irresistible.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 

NOISES OFF
Broadway, Play
Roundabout Theatre Company at American Airlines Theatre
2 hours, 25 minutes
Through March 6

Categories: Broadway, Theater

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