The Underpants
By Steve MartinAdapted from Carl Sternheim
Directed by B.J. Cleveland
Produced by MainStage Irving-LasColinas
Reviewed by Natalie Shaw
For ages, they've been a source of attraction to men (and some women.) Thousands, if not millions of dollars are dropped just to have them and crowds have gone wild just to get a glimpse of them. Panties! And, I don't mean your grandmother's panties--no way, not at all! I'm talking about pretty panties with satin and lace ruffles. Oooo La La! (*whistle) But, when Louise finds hers down around her ankles in public, her life takes an unexpected turn. How did they fall?! How could they possible fall down-- just like that! (*snap!) And, even when she tries to make it happen, again, you know, because if they fell down once, surely she can recreate the moment to figure out what went wrong-- she can't! Just like when your shoe farts in public, and you can't recreate the moment. No matter how many times or how sincerely you say, "that was my shoe making that noise, I swear!" Everyone knows you're lying. Poor Louise (played delightfully by Ashley Hawkins) is subject to gossip, slander and above all, whore-dom! (*Ludarcris -"You's a Hoe") Sorry, Girl! It happens, even to the best of us.
This is not your average play, and I think our first clue was seeing who adapted it -the one and only Dirty Rotten Scoundrel himself, Steve Martin! Producer Evelyn G. Hall, Director BJ Cleveland and MainStage Irving-Las Colinas bring us this uproarious comedy, set in Germany in 1910, poking fun at men and women, alike, for our obsession with scandal and naughty behavior. Modern day feminists, such as myself, will have some difficulty swallowing the misogynistic jokes, made at a woman's expense, but, take a deep breath and relax, sisters! The men aren't getting off easy in this one, either!
The Underpants is full of love and desire, but that means something different for each character (or maybe, I should say "caricature.") Louise wants nothing more than her own husband to notice her and carry her off into the bedroom every once and a while, but her husband, Theo (played with enthusiasm by Brian Davis) sees too much of her innocence to do anything quite so vulgar. It takes the dropping of Louise's drawers for him to see her as anything but a maid and a cook. And, he better open his eyes, before one of the two lovers, who are in hot pursuit of her following the bikini-bottom blunder, finds his way in! I speak of two men, in particular, Frank Versati and Benjamin Cohen. Russell Sims plays the needy and lovesick Cohen with pleasant energy and physicality and Michael Speck plays the poetic lover, Versati with vibrant vitality, who has the words to woo. Louise sets her sights on Versati, but, with his full admiration and fascination for himself, she isn't likely to get laid. She needs some help! At forty-two years old, Neighbor Gertrude has all but given up on love with her almost-non-existent husband (seriously, the audience never sees him,) since it's been years since she rolled around in the sheets with him. So, she lives vicariously through her neighbor, Louise and dedicates her time to helping Louise in her romantic pursuits of Versati. Brandy Raper portrays a brilliantly playful and animated Gertrude, with a zest and a zing that is sassy, sultry and, oh, so much fun!
Lush costumes with beautiful patterns are provided by Michael A. Robinson and the Dallas Costume Shoppe team, adding much to the life and energy of the production. Amusing sound effects and creative musical compilation is provided by Michael Cannon, and colorful scene design is brought to us by Wendy Searcy-Woode.
The Underpants is an excellent choice of entertainment for this weekend! Come enjoy this fast-paced, fun-filled comedy before it's gone! Tickets are available at mainstageirving.com
Running Time: 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Available
ASL Showing: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
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