A Happy Meal of Spicy Adult Humor

Don’t Dress for Dinner – BrightSide Theatre

Frantic running, doors slamming, horny men and hot women popping up in compromising costumes, positions and situations—this is the essence of French playwright Marc Camoletti’s hilarious and superbly-directed farce, now playing at BrightSide Theatre in Naperville. A 2012 comedy Broadway hit, written in 1987 as a sequel to his signature play, “Boeing-Boeing,” this farce continues the convoluted sexual escapades between Bernard, his wife Jacqueline and their best friend Robert. 

Now married to Jacqueline, Bernard and his wife are living in a renovated farmhouse outside Paris. When Jacqueline plans a weekend visit with her mother, Bernard secretly arranges for Suzanne, his gorgeous mistress, to come play house with him while his wife’s away. Bernard’s close friend and Best Man, Robert, also drops by for the weekend, so Bernard’s hired a cook from the Bon Appetit catering agency to cook for them. Mistaken identities and unbelievable situations continue to develop throughout this hilarious play. Between the broad physical humor and jaw-dropping reversals of fortune, both the actors and the audience are left breathless.

In a welcome return to BrightSide Theatre, talented guest director Aaron Henrickson adds another credit to his impressive resume. Having guided excellent productions of “Rumors,” “Moon Over Buffalo” and, especially, the Jeff Recommended “Scissortail,” this undertaking is another perfect fit. Mr. Henrickson has staged his production with just the right amount of camp, slapstick, over-the-top line readings and physical comedy. He makes Camoletti’s clever comedy clip along at the perfect pace. Wisely, Aaron never lets his production slack, seldom giving his audience time to question the absurd logic behind all the bizarre events that befall these six quirky characters.

Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass and Aaron Henrickson have done an excellent job casting this show. Each actor establishes his or her own unique character, then takes the ball and runs with it. There’s not a weak link among the cast, and audiences will appreciate the horseplay and buffoonery racing around the intimate Meiley-Swallow stage. Handsome, energetic Adam Schulmerich and lovely Stephanie Johnsen (who sometimes reminds me of Ana Gasteyer) are terrific as Bernard and Jacqueline. Their chemistry is perfect as a couple who cares for each other, but have discovered the titillation to be found in certain extracurricular activities. The two seem to complement each another in every way possible. 

David Moreland is a comic treasure! He’s superb as Robert, the play’s more challenging, broadly-written character role. Mr. Moreland skillfully walks that fine line between the preposterous and the farcical. He also earns kudos for simply mastering Camoletti’s convoluted dialogue, but David also manages to add so much more. The humor he produces from his vocal variety, subtle looks and wild gestures is the icing on this cake. Suzette, the frumpy young chef sent by the catering agency, is beautifully played by Jocelyn Adamski. The actress has a comic field day as her innocent character learns each eccentric demand of her made by Bernard and Robert. Watching this shy young lady evolve into a sexy, mercenary, take-charge mistress of the evening is the highlight of this production, thanks to the engaging, talented and likable Ms. Adamski. The only drawback is that sometimes it’s difficult to understand Jocelyn through her thick French accent. Fortunately her punchlines often get repeated by the other actors, which adds even more humor.

Rounding out the cast is beautiful and sultry Kaitlin Feely, who has so much fun portraying Suzanne, Bernard’s mistress. Playing her as a voluptuous and lustily enterprising young woman, the petite Ms Feely provides lots of laughs, particularly early in Act II in her scene with Stephanie Johnsen. And, finally,  Alex Farrington shows up near the end of the play. He is humorously convincing in the role of George, Suzette’s macho  chef husband. A bit naive, George is understandably befuddled by what he finds when he arrives to collect his wife from her latest cooking gig. He suddenly finds himself thrust into the middle of a mystifying misunderstanding that appears to be some kind of sexual orgy.

BrightSide Theatre has another a hit on its hands with Marc Camoletti’s rollicking French sex farce. This production is the perfect remedy for all those many months of a pandemic-induced shut down. It has everything going for it. There’s top-notch work by guest director Aaron Henrickson, as he guides his cast toward perfectly-paced, well-staged production that features lots of physical humor and snappy, fast-paced dialogue. We have hilarious, energetic performances by a talented, six-member ensemble cast. Shana Hall’s extensive wardrobe of appropriately provocative costumes add still another dimension to each character. And the whole thing plays out upon an appropriately workable set, nicely designed for movement, by Barry Norton (although the wall art chosen to decorate this French country flat is strangely inappropriate). 

For a sensational, side-splitting evening of slapstick comedy, that offers some much-welcome escapest entertainment and nonstop laughter, BrightSide Theatre’s peppy Winter offering serves up a delectably satisfying Happy Meal of spicy adult humor.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas      

Presented February 25-March 13 by BrightSide Theatre, performed at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the theatre box office, by calling 630-447-8497 or by going to www.brightsidetheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com