Photos by Mike Morgan Photography

The Gods of Comedy

By: Ken Ludwig

Directed by: Kristal Seid

Produced by: Mainstage Irving

Audience Rating: PG

Running Time: Two hours with one 15 minute intermission

Accessible Seating: Available

Hearing Devices: Not Available

Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available

ASL Showing: Not Available

Sound Level: Comfortable

Audio/Visuals To Prepare For: Strobe lights/ Fog

Reviewed by Dan C. Rogers

The Gods of Comedy is a farce, a parody, a slapstick, an over-the-top, outrageous, witty, irreverent, high energy non-stop funny production. Running at the Dupree Theatre in the Irving Arts Center June 12- 27, this Ken Ludwig authored script takes a warped view on the Greek classics and turns it into an audience pleasing laugh out loud story of mistaken identities and quick costume changes with word play so quick and clever you might want to see it again, in case you missed something.

Directed by Kristal Seid, who also designed the uncomplicated set, this show jumps out of the gate with ridiculous situations and other worldly problem solving. Nose-in-the-books researcher Daphne Rain as performed with pent up frustration by Caitlin Whitley, who joins college professor Ralph Sargent, in the chaotic nervous presence of Jake Blakeman, to safeguard and then reveal a unique find to university donors, and the world. Alas, things go awry. It has to do with an overly efficient maintenance worker, as played by Eric Vale, a very very very rare book and a shredding machine. Chaos ensues. A magical necklace and an appeal to the ancient gods brings into the wacky circumstances Dionysus, the god of theatre, and Thalia, the goddess of comedy. These two TRY to help… Michael Speck and Cassidy Atchison stir things up, mix things up and camp things up. Their energy is boundless. Their bumbling is clueless. Their physical choreography is stupendous. Vale contributes in three personas - his Ares is arrogant, quick to anger, and deliciously funny/scary. Head of the Department Dean Trickett, in the form of Arianna Movassagh enjoys the vino with gusto. When she tries to demonstrate the phrase ‘you are pulling my leg’ be prepared to hoot and guffaw loudly.

Rounding out the complications is faded movie star Brooklyn De Wolfe so arrogantly and seductively enhanced by Bridgette McFall. Her identity switch with Dionysus mocks the stereotypical “walk a mile in my shoes” mantra with awkward silliness.

This madcap cast is aptly highlighted and accompanied by the artful lighting design from Hank Baldree and the quick timing and surprisingly witty sound effects are supplied by Zach Cantrell. Director Seid has an outrageously enjoyable theatrical ‘Grecian urn’ of nectar and ambrosia in The Gods of Comedy. Zeus himself would enjoy the lightning bolt of wit and wanton wild wacky chortle causing cacophony of pure pleasure.

The Dupree Theatre venue at the Irving Arts Center is the cherry on top of the comfortable location in Irving, Texas, where the 10-acre art center caters to all ages within the community.

Make plans now to see The Gods of Comedy, it is the Mount Olympus of fun, and just what the doctor ordered.

Additional Photos by Kris Ikejiri