By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
British farce “Run For Your Wife” enjoyed a nine-year run following its debut—and now, the show brings bouts of laughter to Pierson Playhouse as Theatre Palisades’ latest show.
A farce is defined as a “type of comedy that places exaggerated characters in improbable situations where they face a number of outrageous obstacles,” which is exactly what Ray Cooney’s “Run For Your Wife” does.
“A taxi driver gets away with having two wives in different areas of London because of his irregular working schedule,” according to a synopsis provided by Theatre Palisades. “But after an accident that puts him in the hospital where his contradictory personal information is found, complications pile up rapidly as he tries to keep his life on the same equilibrium as before.”
The two-act show is set in 1982. It takes place in the Wimbledon flat of John and Mary Smith, as well as the Streatham flat of John and Barbara Smith—the stage is, quite literally, split in two.
The first two actors to take the stage—Jill Tenney as Mary Smith and Wendy Taubin as Barbara Smith—perform a wonderfully well choreographed series of actions, reporting their husband, John (Christopher Aruffo), missing. The two, appearing in their separate flats, match each other, moment for moment, as they fret about John and speak with the police.
As it turns out, John has been in the hospital for a short stint after suffering a head injury he got while intervening with a mugging. He returns home first to the Wimbledon flat, where his wife Mary is, and soon after calls Barbara and makes up a story about his cab breaking down and a farmer helping him out.
Throughout the course of his performance, which marks his Theatre Palisades’ debut, Aruffo brings John’s character to the next level. His stress is palpable as he tries to keep his two lives, and wives, separate. Just as promised, his actions border on truly unbelievable, but that makes the show all the more funny.
John’s predicament is investigated by two separate police stations—Detective ergeant Troughton (Randy Oppenheimer) in Wimbledon and Detective Sergeant Porterhouse (Richard Conolly) in Streatham. Adriana Bodner, also the stage manager, makes a brief appearance as a newspaper reporter, who is very committed to getting her front-page shot of John for the paper.
The cast is rounded out by Justin Dew (Stanley Gardner), a neighbor to John and Mary who finds himself in increasingly ridiculous scenarios, trying to help keep the situation under wraps, and Michael Anthony Nozzi as Bobby Franklyn, who moves in above John and Barbara’s Streatham flat—not knowing what he is signing up for by entering the fold, but along for the ride without complaint.
Two of the actors who give the most standout performances are the wives, Barbara and Mary. Both bring the drama, through their expressions and actions, as both get increasingly agitated as John’s plot thickens and gets more and more confusing.
Taubin brings to light the anger that Barbara is feeling when John’s story continues to not add up, while Tenney’s frustration at her husband is apparent through well-timed screeches and emotional turmoil.
Nozzi also gives a memorable performance as Bobby—returning to Pierson Playhouse after five years. His character is so over-the-top, he earned some of the hardest laughter throughout the audience.
Overall, the entire cast gels together quite well, which makes for an entertaining performance. They play off of each other, nailing comedic timing and providing quite a hilarious show—a stark contrast to Theatre Palisades’ previous show, “Other Desert Cities.
“Run For Your Wife” is directed by Sherman Wayne, and produced by Martha Hunter and Laura Goldstein.
Performances will run through May 6, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for general admission, and $20 for students and seniors.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theatrepalisades.org.
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