By Shirley Lorraine –
Santa Paula Theatre Center pulls out all the stops in the current production of The Cottage by Sandy Ruskin. The actors cavort with highly choreographed abandon and over-the-top characterizations that ensure chuckles, titters, and outright guffaws of laughter. It is billed as a “modern take on Noel Coward” replete with tongue-in-cheek references as well as bawdy banter. The action is saucy as the cast reveal infidelities, amorous assignations, and a surprising number of plot twists.
Director Kimberly Demmary has certainly found her niche with this fast-paced farce. The cast is up to the task of physical humor, subtle side-play, and crisp line delivery, all with British accents.
Dawn Michelle leads the outrageous action as Sylvia, a woman escaping her marriage by carrying on a seven-year affair with her brother-in-law. They rationalize that they only meet once a year, so the time is irrelevant. Hoping to make the arrangement more permanent, Sylvia soon finds that there are more obstacles to this desire than she can keep track of. Ms. Michelle does a stellar job with a whirlwind of soap opera-style action and exaggerated physical and facial reactions. She is a delight to watch. Her object of interest is Beau, played by Stan McConnell. Together the two are quite an acrobatic pair. McConnell matches Michelle’s style play by play. They set the tone for the rest of the characters, all of whom hit their marks.
Sylvia rashly fires off telegrams to her husband Clarke (Anthony Elias Contreras), and Beau’s very pregnant wife Marjorie (Emily Redman Hall) who joins the philandering duo at The Cottage owned by the brothers’ family. Clarke and Marjorie have plot-twisting news of their own. Then the action starts in earnest as new facts are continually revealed. Much like a TV soap opera, the rapidly changing plot points can be a lot to follow. The effort is well worth it.
Adding to the mounting confusion, Beau’s current mistress Dierdre (Hillary Rushing) shows up, ranting about her husband who has killed her previous (and numerous) lovers. Eventually, of course, the husband, Richard (Alphonse Philippe Mouzon) also enters, bringing with him additional plot twists. The result is organized chaos of the best kind.
The 1920’s cottage interior setting by Brad Ashton is exquisite. As in any good farce, there is ample use of many doors, windows, the staircase, other surprises, and the quaint period furniture. Costuming by Barbara Pedziwiatr is also of note, bringing forth the couture of the twenties in beautiful fashion.
The entire cast melds well together, each taking apparent delight in their roles. The show was recently featured in a news section of KEYT-TV. If you missed it, it can be located on Facebook.
Tickets are selling fast for this laugh out-loud production.
The Cottage continues Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through May 11, 2025. www.santapaulatheatercenter.org 805-5255-4645
