Don't Dress for Dinner

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DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER

Photo: Joan Marcus
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Cititour.com Review
A classic dictionary definition of ‘farce’ includes “ludicrously improbable situations” and “slapstick.” Both are prominently displayed in the outlandish comedy, “Don’t Dress for Dinner,” by French playwright, Marc Camoletti, (“Boeing, Boeing”) adapted for an English speaking audience by Robin Hawdon. John Tillinger directs the show with a solid grasp of physical comedy and a clear eye at every punch line, although the production does have a tendency to charge ahead, all guns ablaze, only to misfire, now and again.

Bernard (Adam James) plans a tryst thinking that his wife, Jacqueline (Patricia Kalember) will be at her mother’s. But when his wife discovers that her lover, Robert (Ben Daniels) is due for the weekend, she cancels her plans and stays home. When Suzette, (Spencer Kayden), the cook from the catering service, is mistaken for Bernard’s actress girlfriend, Suzanne (Jennifer Tilly), hilarity ensues. The overall result is a very funny evening in the theatre punctuated by an occasional lull in the proceedings.

Part of this may be due to casting. The fluffy scenario of “Don’t Dress For Dinner” requires actors with dancer’s bodies and a keen comic awareness of timing and placement. It’s a choreographed jitterbug of humor, pratfalls, and screwball situations. It needs to power through like a speeding engine but there are times in “Don’t Dress for Dinner” when things sort of fizz out. Kalember has the biggest challenge here since she’s supposed to be the dutiful wife, and the voice of reason, but she’s often left with a blank expression as the tornado of activity swirls around her. The rest of the cast can go full throttle, and does, with Kayden and Daniels managing the biggest laughs and truly outrageous physical comedy. Kayden’s deadpan delivery is a marvel to witness. James also has his share of pratfalls and double-takes but seems more ill at ease. Tilly makes the most of her vapid actress offering a nicely placed pout, but fails to take full advantage of this comic minefield.

All the physical comedy is aided by some pretty smart costumes from William Ivy Long and John Lee Beatty’s country house setting adds just the right touch of shabby chic circa 1960.

“Don’t Dress for Dinner” is one kooky, funny bit of fluff and, despite the occasional misstep, offers up plenty of laughs from start to finish.

By Lesley Alexander


Visit the Site
http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Shows-Events/Don-t-Dress-for-Dinner.aspx

Cast
Ben Daniels, Melora Hardin, Adam James, Spencer Kayden, Jennifer Tilly, David Aron Damane

Open/Close Dates
Opening 3/30/2012
Closing 6/17/2012

Box Office
212-719-1300

Theatre Info
American Airlines Theatre
227 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
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