Christmas Craziness

It Runs in the Family

A big thank you to Citadel Theatre for sharing this sparkling gift of Christmas craziness with Chicagoland audiences, just in time for the upcoming holidays. Ray Cooney, one of England’s most clever and prolific playwrights, is known for his hilarious comedies and over-the-top farces. Each of his 24 plays is so tightly and intricately tangled that, once his plots are set into motion, all of the erratic events take on lives of their own. The stories breathlessly race nonstop to a satisfying conclusion that somehow tie up all the loose ends. 

For avid connoisseurs of comedy, Ray Cooney has given the theatre world a cornucopia of highly entertaining titles. His wacky, almost preposterous farces began in 1962 with “Who Were You With Last Night?” and continue into the 21st century with “Twice in a Lifetime.” So many familiar titles appear among his huge repertoire of works, such as “Move Over Mrs. Markham,” “Not Now Darling,” “Run For Your Wife” and “Funny Money.” And this clever writer’s works all follow a similar formula. He combines classic English risque’ and ribald situations with characters who constantly jump to conclusions. Many are eccentric, often dress in disguises, and pretend to be someone they’re not. Lies and bizarre stories are related to cover up an unpleasant truth, but eventually honesty prevails and the facts are revealed.

The intricate plot of “It Runs in the Family” centers around a series of revelations and newly related secrets that emerge in the doctor’s lounge of London’s St. Andrews Hospital. It’s three days before Christmas and noted neurologist, Dr. David Mortimore, is nervously trying to memorize his speech, hoping that he’ll inspire a generous monetary donation for purchase of some much-needed medical equipment. David is also trying to impress his supervisor, Sir Willoughby Drake and, perhaps, achieve knighthood in the process.

At the same time, the staff, headed by enthusiastic, but somewhat eccentric, Doctors Mike Connolly and Hubert Bonney, are rehearsing their annual Holiday Pantomime, which will entertain both the patients and staff. Gifts for the children have been delivered and Matron is in charge of keeping them a surprise until later. The Doctors’ Common Room is abuzz with activity, with people coming and going and deadlines having to be met. 

What sets off the next two hours of madness and mayhem is when Dr. Mortimore’s former nurse, Jane Tate, shows up with some shocking news. It seems that back in their younger days, David and Jane used to fool around in the Sluice Room of the hospital. The result was that Nurse Tate had to abandon her career and leave London to give birth to and raise her son by herself. Today is her son, Leslie’s, 18th birthday. The punky young man is bound and determined to meet his real father, whom he’s learned is a doctor at this hospital. Along the way, Leslie has encountered some minor trouble with the law and the Police Sergeant is hot on his trail. Add into this mix of hilarious characters Rosemary Mortimore, David’s patient, but befuddled wife; Sister, hoping to give aid and care to all her patients; and Bill, a feisty older patient who keeps turning up and being wheeled away in his chair to other locales.

Directed at breakneck speed, a nonstop tempo that’s the earmark of any good farce, Pat Murphy returns to Citadel Theatre to do what he does best. Once again he’s guided his excellent, likable and multitalented cast of eleven skilled actors to bring Ray Cooney’s bizarre world of craziness to a fitting climax. The box set, nicely designed by Eric Luchen, beautifully transforms the intimate Citadel stage into the large Common Room at St. Andrews Hospital. The scenic design provides everything required of a 1980’s farce: lots of doors for quick entrances and exits, many that swing both ways (much like a couple of the characters); a large, draped window, that opens and closes, with a huge, practical window seat below; a small desk, a few chairs, a well-stocked bar, and plenty of room for all the running around that will take place.

Tim Walsh is superb as Dr. David Mortimore. The actor is sharp, clever and a master of all the convoluted dialogue, delivered quickly and with clarity. He also fully understands the physical demands of playing farce, and Mr. Walsh is clearly up to the challenge. He’s hilarious as he attempts to keep all the balls in the air, trying to balance the many lies, disguises and half-truths he’s forced to generate. He’s matched, scene-for-scene, by David Whitlock’s brilliant, often bewildered Dr. Hubert Bonney. And Philip J. Macaluso is a raging stitch as Dr. Mike Connolly, a doctor who seems to find great joy in his crossdressing Pantomime roles. One of the highlights of this production is a scene in which all three doctors are dressed as Matron (a fantastic bulldozer of a woman, played with an iron will by Debra Rodkin). The three men remind the audience of the gut-busting drag performances of Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

Aimee Kleiman, as Jane Tate, is both an attractive woman completely in charge and an unwitting victim of a man’s world. Every so often a moment of empathy creeps into Cooney’s plays, and with former Nurse Tate the audience sometimes feels for her situation as an unmarried mother trying to make things right again. The same might be said of her confused teenage son, Leslie, alternately portrayed with rage and affection by Declan Poll. Particularly as costumed and coiffed by Elizabeth Monti, the young actor is totally believable as a punk rock fan from the 80’s. Chris Bruzzini is in total command, except when he’s not, as the Police Sergeant. In many ways, Bruzzini’s character, with his attempt to fully comprehend what’s going on, represents the audience, if we had been thrust into this wacky world of weirdness.

The always professional and polished Ed Kuffert makes a staunch authority figure as Sir Willoughby Drake, the head of the hospital. Ellen Phelps nicely creates another humorous victim of deception as Dr. Mortimore’s confused, but accommodating wife, Rosemary. Nancy Greco gets to really stretch her creative muscles, playing both Sister and Dr. Bonney’s kindly, sophisticated Mother. And talented character actor Ray Andrecheck is a laugh riot as Bill, the scrappy, spirited elderly patient who keeps reappearing in his wheelchair to create even more chaos and pandemonium to the ever-evolving situation.

Citadel’s latest offering is a real holiday treat and a must-see production, as directed by the brilliant Pat Murphy. His gifted cast truly understands farce and knows how to get the most laughs from their finely controlled performances. And, a credit to everyone on that stage, the company work well together—not as a collection of individuals trying to make the show their own personal comedy routines. Everyone is a team player and the result is a much-welcome cache of adult Christmas craziness.        

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented November 16-December 18 by Citadel Theatre Company, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 847-735-8554, x1, or by going to www.citadeltheatre.org.

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