Theater Review: 'Theater People' at Westport Country Playhouse

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

A Season of Laughter at Westport Country Playhouse concludes with a riotous production of “Theatre People.” The play is written by Connecticut-born playwright Paul Slade Smith, who adapted it from Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnár's “Play at the Castle.” “The Play's the Thing” is another adaptation of Molnár's play by P. G. Wodehouse, and the “Rough Crossing” is a 1984 comedy play by Tom Stoppard that was freely adapted from the same play.

While all of the comedies in Wesport’s season have been enjoyable, “Theatre People” closes out the season with the most laughter. Playhouse Artistic Director Mark Shanahan directs the new play that was a hit in the theater’s 2023 “Script In Hand” playreading series and graciously recognized the members of the production team during his opening night curtain speech.

The rollicking classic screwball comedy is set in 1948 when some of Broadway’s brightest names meet at a Newport mansion for a weekend when chaos ensues. The story is full of charm and behind the scenes antics that seldom miss at evoking hearty laughter. The playwright manages to pay homage to the romantic comedies of the past while freshening up the dialogue with a modern energy.

Shanahan notes, “At its heart, this play is a love letter to all those who - just like you- call themselves 'theatre people, '" a comedy that proves itself to be a love letter to the theatre and all the people who make it. There is plenty for everyone in the audience to enjoy in this silly story, but those of us who work in theater will laugh just a bit louder. “Actors are like toddlers” is one of the memorable lines and there are even a couple references to an Hungarian play presented with a wink to the source material.

The Equity cast works together to bring their fun characters to life with razor sharp comic timing. Erin Noel Grennan masters the physical comedy in her role as the mansion’s maid Olga, with an undetermined accent and slightly intimidating personality. Grennan almost steals all of the scenes in which she appears.

Isabel Keating returns to the Playhouse stage, this time as Charlotte Sanders, one of the scheming playwrights who want to get the as-yet-unpublished manuscript by Oliver Adams (played by Rudolfo Soto) onto the stage. Keating is a gifted comedic actress that will be part of the upcoming “Queen of Versailles” on Broadway. Soto, who starred as Usnavi in “In The Heights” on this stage, appears at The Playhouse for the sixth time

Michael McCormick shows off classic comic timing in his role as Arthur Sanders. McCormick has appeared in 15 Broadway shows, as well as “Room Service” and “She Loves Me” in Westport.

Mia Pinero plays the actress/singer Margot Bell in her Westport debut. Michael McCorry Rose, who can be seen in the film version of “Wicked,” portrays the handsome actor that is not too bright. The pair begin their acting from the (offstage) bedroom next door.

Set designer James J. Fenton brings a high-end Newport bedroom to the Playhouse stage. Costumes designed by Annie J. Le are beautifully constructed and reminiscent of the 1940’s, with flattering wig, hair and makeup design by J. Jared Janas. Lighting by Alyssandra Docherty is also flattering and sound designer Jill BC Du Boff adds some show tunes to the preshow music. The prop supervisor of items from the period were supervised by Anya Kutner.

Anissa Felix served as the assistant director of the production with Equity’s Rebecca C. Monroe as production stage manager. “Theatre People” is performed with one intermission and is well worth the trip to Westport. Performances continue through April 12 at The Playhouse located at 25 Powers Court in Westport. Tickets are available at westportplayhouse.org/show/theatre-people/