By TR Robertson Photos by Aaron Rumley
NC Rep’s final production for their 44th season, “Scapin”, is a wild comedic ride featuring hilarious physical comedy, unforgettable characters, a splatter of bawdiness with lots of zaniness thrown in, and a crazy “keystone cops” chase scene to end the evening. This is a very clever adaptation of the seventeenth-century French dramatist Molière’s play. “Scapin the Schemer” was penned by actor, director, writer, and clown Bill Irwin and playwright Mark O’Donnell, first developed and staged at the Seattle Repertory Theatre in 1995 and in a major revival including a staging at the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York at the Laura Pels Theatre in 1997. Irwin played Scapin in the original productions.
The North Coast Repertory production is directed by Christopher Williams, who formerly directed “Gabriel” and “Desperate Measures” at North Coast Rep. Williams served for six years as the Associate Artistic Director and Casting Director for North Coast Rep and was the founding Artistic Director of Oceanside Theatre Company.
The talented cast featured some familiar faces at NC Rep. as well as some making their first appearance on the NC Rep Stage. The key to this fast-paced comedy is timing, and there is no question that the timing was impeccable as actors moved in and out of the stage, interacting with one another quickly. Along with all of this, the physical comedy and slapstick behavior kept the audience laughing the entire play.
Starring as Scapin, the devious conniving valet for Leander, is Paul Slade Smith, making his debut on the NC Rep. Stage. Smith is not new to NC Rep. as four of the plays he has written have appeared on the NC Rep. Stage. Scapin’s mischievous beginnings start when he agrees to help two young men acquire money, from their strict fathers, to help the women they love. Very adept at physical humor, he is especially funny when he is on stage with Omri Schein, who plays Sylvestre, Octave’s valet. The audience roars when Sylvestre mimics Scapin’s dream as Scapin is being held down by Argante. Omri is part of the musical theatre writing team of Lincoln and Schein and has appeared in a number of NC Rep plays. Great facial expressions and physical comedy abound as Sylvestre tries to stay caught up with all of the conniving Scapin is trying to pull off.
The two fathers of the forlorn sons Leander and Octave, Geronte and Argante, also bring out rousing applause and laughter from the audience throughout the play. Argante, Octave and Zerbinette’s father, is played by James Newcomb, a Craig Noel Award winner, and veteran of NC Rep performances. North Coast Rep Artistic Director David Ellenstein returns to the stage as Geronte, Leander and Hyacinth’s father.
As the gruff Geronte, his scene with Scapin, as Geronte is convinced to hide, will leave you laughing even as you later leave the theatre.
Leander, who loves Zerbinette, is played by Tim Frangos, making his NC Rep debut. Octave, who loves Hyacinthe, is played by Miles Blue, also making his NC Rep debut. They both standout as two over-the-top-in-love suitors determined to marry the girl of their dreams. Gabbie Adner plays the flighty Hyacinth and Marie Zolezzi plays Zerbinette, who has one of the most annoying laughs possible, but it’s funny. Both have been on the NC Rep Stage before. Sophia Oberg plays Nerine, Hyacinthe’s servant, who appears occasionally as she searches for Geronte’s home. Sophia is making her NC Rep debut. Perhaps the most unusual role on stage is that of George, played by NC Rep veteran and Craig Noel Award winner, David McBean. David makes a grand entrance at the beginning of the play and at the start of Act 2, taking his place as what we are led to believe is a piano he supposedly plays to provide background and mood music for the play. He will also interact, non-verbally, with Scapin throughout the play, also providing wonderful facial expressions to fit particular moments.
Director Chris Williams Creative and Design Team includes Stage Manager Shannon Humiston, Assistant Stage Manager Jeruel Canda, Lighting Designer Matthew Novotny, Costume Designer Elisa Benzoni, Associate Costume Designer Grace Wong, Sound Designer Matt FitzGerald, Props Designer Michael Wogulis, Hair and Wig Designer Peter Herman. The set for “Scapin” had special significance for the play as this is the final set designed by NCRT’s resident Set Designer Marty Burnett as Marty recently passed away.
If you are ready for an evening of laughter with lots of craziness on stage “Scapin” is the perfect play for you. It will be on stage at the North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach until August 23rd . Tickets can be purchased at www.northcoastrep.org or call 858-481-1055. Next up for the of North Coast Rep’s 45th season will be the West Coast Premiere of “Good Night Oscar”.
