North Coast Rep’s Latest Keeps the Laughs Coming

The comedy, Don’t Dress for Dinner, utilizes many elements of a classic farce: quirky characters, misunderstandings, false identities, and slapstick. All of these components are handled with strong timing by director, Christopher Williams, and a talented cast in the North Coast Repertory Theatre’s production.

Taking place in a French country house in 1990, Bernard (Brian Robert Burns) abruptly tells his wife, Jacqueline (Kim Morgan Dean), that he will be spending a weekend with his friend, Robert (Brandon J. Pierce). Bernard is actually lying to his spouse, because he intends on meeting up with his mistress, Suzanne (Katy Tang), to continue an ongoing affair.

Complications build as Robert shows up at the couple’s house. It turns out that Jacqueline is having an affair with Robert. While Jacqueline was planning on spending time with her mom, Bernard and Robert get in a lot of trouble after she cancels her visit.

Marc Camoletti’s 1987 script (adapted by Robin Hawdon) does not feature the most surprising of plots. Several scenes and situations are similar to some of Ken Ludwig’s plays such as Lend Me a Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo and Hawdon’s later work, including Perfect Wedding. It also features an ending that can be considered too tidy, yet still fits with the lighthearted tone of most farces.

What keeps his writing engaging is the escalating comic tension that arises as Bernard’s lies get out of control.

Williams starts his version in a casual style as Bernard and Jacqueline take part in a seemingly ordinary conversation. It does not take long for his staging to become wackier, especially once the anxious and agitated Robert arrives.

The storyteller incorporates Marty Burnett’s set and Kevin Williams’ props for comical chaos, with doors, drinks, and furniture being used for gags. All of the over-the-top sequences are executed wonderfully by Williams and his cast.

Burns and Pierce portray their parts with highly strung energy that leads to big laughs. It is amusing to watch Burns depict a well-behaved adult becoming increasingly childish, and Pierce stuns with his renditions of several intentionally convoluted monologues.

Dean, Tang, and Veronica Dunne turn in memorable performances and expertly take part in sections that focus on dialogue and visual jokes.

Also, Jared Van Heel has a hilarious cameo towards the end of Act Two in a role that allows him to engage in heavy physical comedy.

An abundant amount of uproarious shenanigans makes Don’t Dress for Dinner fun summer entertainment. I would recommend North Coast Rep’s interpretation of Camoletti’s hit show for a memorable date night, or a great evening out with friends.

Show times are Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m and 7:00 p.m, Thursdays at 7:00 p.m, Fridays at 8:00 p.m, Saturdays at 2:00 p.m and 8:00 p.m, and Sundays at 2:00 p.m and 7:00 p.m.