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Leading Ladies is LOL funny

During one scene change in the Salem Community Theater’s current production of “Leading Ladies,” a few bars of Judy Collins singing “Send in the Clowns” plays in the background. Collins warbles the musical question, “Don’t you love farce?,” and the only proper response the audience can give is a resounding, Yes!

Billed as a combination of “Some Like it Hot” and “Twelfth Night,” “Leading Ladies” is an adult comedy that follows two Shakespeare-loving, down-on-their-luck, ham actors as they cross-dress their way to, if not fame, then at least to the possibility of fortune, and, more rewardingly, to love. Line after line and scene after scene, playwright Ken Ludwig’s farce is reminiscent of Moliere at his most preposterously inventive and funny.

Sam Luptak, Jr., in his directorial debut at SCT, takes this show to the level of not just first-rate local theater, but first-rate theater, period. Luptak’s hand is steady but not overbearing, and his cast is superb. From Terry Vest as an enthusiastically “Aroooo-ing” member of the Moose Lodge to the two leads, Jacob Nash and Matt Schomer, the SCT ensemble hits a theatrical home run with this show.

Tara Lee Hall, as Margaret-at once knowing and innocent-sets up the story in the first scene with crisp lines and a wholesomeness that permeates her entire performance. Her romantic interest morphs from dutiful feelings toward her fianc (Reverend Duncan Woolsey), to purely artistic appreciation of Leo Clark as an actor, and finally to love for Leo as her betrothed with a brief, wild-side trip of infatuation for Maxine.

Malinda Denman roller skates haltingly onto the stage in a poodle skirt outfit, and is the earnest but ditzy Audrey whose love for Jack is kindled at first sight and builds convincingly from there.

Woolsey is played by Ron Altomare who introduces the audience to the less-than-99 percent%-spiritual reverend with an annoying and calculating air that has the crowd rooting against him throughout the night.

Bill Finley’s Doc Myers provides a genuine comic presence, whether he is advising his wet-behind-ears son Butch, played by Dillon Kerner, or expressing his libidinous designs on Stephanie or declaring Aunt Florence dead twice. When Aunt Florence recovers and accuses Doc of medical quackery, Finley’s character responds as though his misdiagnoses and Florence’s recoveries were her fault.

Ruth Newman, a veteran of more than 30 SCT productions, is delightful as the crotchety Aunt Florence whose purported fortune is the object of Woolsey, Jack, Leo, and two unseen, but renowned, flim-flam artists. As an actor, Newman gets it: she sells her every performance with a precise flair, but without ever dining on the scenery

One of the two leads, Jack Gable/Stephanie, is played by Jacob Nash. Nash’s remarkable stage presence makes him impossible to ignore even when he is just frowning silently out upstage. His involvement as a cast member in any play or musical is as close to a gold-standard guarantee of quality as there is. Readers are urged to see him in the lead of the upcoming Salem High School production of “Beauty and the Beast.”

The other lead character, Leo Clark/Maxine, is played by Matt Schomer who has never been better. Indeed, it is hard to say enough positive about Schomer’s portrayal. From his performance in “West Side Story” at Columbiana High School years ago to his star turn in “Leading Ladies,” Schomer has crafted his skills to a remarkable level. In tour-de-force monologues and dialogues, he maintains a British accent that never falters, and plays straight man as facilely as he does the comic.

Back to the recorded, between-the-scene musical snippets: from Doris Day’s sugary “Que Sera, Sera” as the stage lights come on to the thump and squeal of Aerosmith’s “Dude Looks Like A Lady” as the patrons file out, the lyrical choices were simply perfect. With just the right combination of subtlety and wit the selections cause the theatergoer first to recognize the tune, then to catch the reference, and finally to smile. Someone with encyclopedic musical wherewithal and an impish sense of humor had a hand-and an ear- in this.

Some occasionally uncooperative doors and the presence of horns instead of antlers on the headgear of the Moose Lodge members were two minor distractions. But this is picking nits.

“Leading Ladies” provided wonderful entertainment. The show, which runs for one more weekend at SCT, provides two-and-a-half hours of top-notch entertainment. Any adults who have ever laughed or smiled should attend and surrender to this farce.

– Performances continue this weekend. Times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday with the Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Information and reserved seat tickets are available by calling the box office at 330-332-9688.

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