Slick staging, fast pacing, energetic performances and a glitzy design aren't enough to turn a Broadway flop into a truly funny hit in Columbus.
Short North Stage’s area premiere of “The Performers,” which opened Friday at the Garden Theater, doesn’t generate enough laughter — or plausible psychology — to compensate for juvenile melodramatics and leering silliness.
Set at a Las Vegas hotel during an adult-movie industry’s awards-show gathering, the David West Read comedy centers on porn stars and their relationships.
The 100-minute two-act is suggested for mature audiences because of frequent profanity, sexual innuendo and so many crude porn-movie-parody titles that a few seem clever by comparison.
Despite yeoman efforts by director Edward Carignan and the eight-person cast, the play is the worst tackled by the professional troupe since Short North Stage was founded in 2011. (The script choice seems especially disappointing, given the success last year of the February-comedy slot: the infinitely funnier and wiser “Hand to God.”)
Comedy is a matter of taste, of course.
At the preview Thursday of "The Performers," some theatergoers laughed more than I did.
But every laugh was earned by the actors — so, clearly, the flaws in the show aren't the performers' fault.
James Sargent exudes impulsive energy and immaturity as porn-star Mandrew, whose overconfidence exceeds his ignorance.
Greg Mallios brims with almost-virginal curiosity and masculinity-threatened envy as Lee, a New York tabloid reporter interviewing Mandrew, an old high-school buddy.
As Sara, Lee’s patient fiancee, Dionysia Williams conveys enough hints of maturity to rise above the play’s absurd mechanics by the better second act.
As porn-star Peeps, Mandrew’s jealous wife, Melissa Jones projects bruised insecurity.
As porn star Sundown Lamay, Lauren Monteleone overcomes big-breasted dumb-blond stereotyping to convey wistful sweetness.
As industry veteran Chuck Wood, Victor D’Wayne Little conveys the relaxed authority of a survivor grateful to still be in the game.
Eli Brickey and Lisa Glover have silent roles as perky French maids, but their playful and seductive movements while shifting furniture make scene changes delightful.
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