Community theater spoofs itself in frantic ‘Play On!’

Whatever happens, theater people know the show must go on. And go on it does in “Play On!,” Outcast Production’s noisy romp, which opens Friday night at the Black Box Theater in Langley.

This is a backstage comedy about what goes on behind the curtain as the “Last Chance Players” struggle to put on a play while fending off the interfering author who keeps revising the script.

From the rehearsal in Act I to the actual production in the final act, the players bumble along despite the many mishaps, including teeth-grinding speeches by the author during curtain calls, infighting among the cast members and much slamming of doors.

Rick Abbot’s play is community theater poking fun at itself.

“Play On!” continues on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees through Oct. 5.

Tickets are $12 to $16 through brownpapertickets.com or make reservations by emailing ocp@whidbey.com.

The Black Box Theater is at the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds, 819 Camano Ave., Langley.

* * *

Paul and Corie are newlyweds, he’s an up-and-coming lawyer with polished wingtips and the ever-present briefcase, and she’s a nutsy free spirit, game for anything.

The play is a 1963 Neil Simon chestnut, “Barefoot in the Park.” (You may remember the 1967 movie starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda.)

This chuckle-filled comedy by Jewell and Shanda Russell Productions opens Friday night at Theater 4 at Seattle Center.

Much of the schtick involves the tiny six-floor walkup that Corie rents, as all the characters, including delivery people and Corie’s mother, huff and puff their way up the stairs: Five flights if you don’t count the stoop.

“It may look like a stoop, but it climbs like a flight,” Paul says.

“Barefoot in the Park” continues Friday evenings and Saturday matinee and evening performances through Oct. 5.

Tickets, available through brownpapertickets.com are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

Theater 4 at Seattle Center is at 305 Harrison St.

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