Cape Cod Performing Arts

"Unneccessary Farce" is fast-paced and laugh out loud funny

Bring on the guns and guffaws--you'll need a scorecard to keep track of the cops, crooks and kooks

Left to right: John Scherer, Jeremy Webb, Michael McGrath, Suzanne Hay, Dee Hoty and Brad Bellamy, six of the members of the very talented seven person cast. Photo by Kathleen A. Fahle.

By Maggie Kulbokas

They call it a farce for a reason. It's over the top, fast-paced and funny. And 2011 at the Cape Playhouse will end in a blur as "Unnecessary Farce" closes out this very strong season. The laugh out loud comedy by Paul Slade Smith, stars a handful of returning Cape Playhouse favorites.

Set in a seedy motel with connecting rooms, "Unnecessary Farce" has more action than a finals match at Wimbledon.

A farce is defined my Merriam Webster as "a light dramatic composition marked by broadly satirical comedy and improbable plot"--and that is "Unnecessary Farce" to a tee. Tagged as "Two cops. Three crooks. Eight doors. Go.", It's more like eight doors, seven kooky characters, two rooms and non-stop shenanigans.

Jennifer Cody as Officer Billie Dwyer and in the closet, Jeremy Webb as Todd. Photo by Kathleen A. Fahle.

Officers Billie Dwyer (Jennifer Cody) and Eric Sheridan (John Scherer) are on routine assignment: videotape a meeting between the rat--Mayor Meekly (Brad Bellamy), who the department believes has embezzled $16 million, and the bait--the town's new sharp and sexy accountant, Karen Brown (Dee Hoty). Although they mean well, Police academy rejects, Billie and Eric, are clearly not the right cops for this job. Billie's afraid of her own shadow, never mind guns and Eric has about as much self confidence as the Cowardly Lion (pre-Wizard).

As the sting starts, Billie is undercover in her uniform, the mayor wanders off before his big confession, Eric's distracted and Karen can't seem to keep her clothes on. Enter the twitchy Agent Frank (Michael McGrath) who tries to warn off Karen with outlandish tales of a unlikely mafia don and a tremendously tense hitman named Todd (Jeremy Webb) and they're off.

Much like the quintessential British farce, "Noises Off", "Unnecessary Farce" is a cacophony of slamming doors, sexual innuendo, mistaken identity and missing clothing.

As an ensemble, the cast possesses the key element of comedic timing--the show just wouldn't work without it. The stage is often a blur of constant motion, with scenes performed simultaneously and dialogue delivered at a machine gun clip.

But if anybody is guilty of thieving in this cop comedy, it's Jennifer Cody as Billie, who should be cuffed and booked for stealing the show. She's a compact bundle of giggles--with a comedic style reminiscent of "Saturday Night Live" veteran Cheri Oteri.

Set designers are rarely ever praised for what isn't on stage--but Ray Klausen's "invisible" wall managed to allow fluid motion across the stage, while at the same time, making the two hotel rooms seem completely separate and private, except for the surveillance equipment, of course.

"Unnecessary Farce" may be improbable and irreverent, but it is also funny and delivered at a fever pitch--a great way to bid the Dennis stage adieu until next season.

 "Unnecessary Farce" runs now through September 3, Monday through Saturday at 8pm with matinees on Wednesday and the second Thursday at 2pm and the first Saturday at 4pm.  The Cape Playhouse is at 820 Route 6A in Dennis Village. Tickets and ticket subscriptions are available at the box office at 508-385-3911.