Playwright Chris
Weikel is extremely fortunate to have director Sarah Gazdowicz staging his wacky
send-up of classic Dickensian melodrama. PENNY PENYWORTH (cavorting at the
Central Sq. Theatre through June 25th) is at its best a mad Monty
Pythonesque romp through the English novel (from Dickens to the Brontes)—although
at times it dips into choppy Benny Hill waters.
The Titanic Theatre
Company’s cast is plenty seaworthy when it comes to comedy: the foursome
inhabits dozens of characters with ease (or so it seems), from mustache
twirling villains to spluttering, stuttering emissaries to rattling, raving
recluses. Caroline Keeler is wonderful as the hapless, penniless child who must
navigate a world of sleazy opportunists and ruthless predators. (And as is wont
to happen when actors double and triple roles, Keeler has been assigned to play
the very henchman sent to kidnap her!)
Isaiah Plovnick seems
to be made of rubber as he contorts his body so that Mr. Pinch Nose’s upper
half arrives before his extremities. He can chew the small amount of scenery on
stage so thoroughly that you worry about his digestive system. Ashley Risteen
gives Plovnick a run for his money in that department with her spectacular
performance as the delirious, possibly dangerous Miss Havasnort but it’s Brooks
Reeves’ smashing portrayal of a humble, unintelligible Scotsman that brings
down the house.
Kudos to Erica
Desautels for her inventive, evocative costume design and to Gazdowicz for her
extravagantly dramatic sound design, expertly delivered by stage manager Sophia
Girodano.