The Phoenix Theatre’s version of the Woody Allen comedy “Play It Again, Sam” is make-your-face hurt funny. The show will thrust you into whooping and hollering fits, punctuated by the occasional guffaw and gasp for breath.
“Play It Again, Sam” was a 1972 play and film. The film starred Woody Allen as Allan Felix, a guy recently divorced who now must maneuver through the messy dating scene. He gets help from his friends, Dick and Linda, and some professional coaching from an expert on broads: the ghost of Humphrey Bogart — “the world is full of dames and all you got to do is whistle” — who is visible only to Allan.
Allan needs the advice because he always puts on a false front with women — except with Linda, when he is himself. These two eventually have a fling. Dick, who has been aloof and totally wrapped up in his work, suspects Linda is having an affair, though he doesn’t know with whom. Dick is desperate to save his marriage and shares this with Allan. Allan and Linda break it off, ending their affair in a parody of the movie “Casablanca.”
“Play It Again, Sam” is classic Woody Allen, who creates that brilliant comic combo of hilarious zingers matched with physical slapstick. Woody Allen is the world’s most well-known nebbish and so uniquely himself that he’s impossible to imitate. Actor Isaiah Crowson comes awfully close, albeit a bulkier model.
Crowson’s comic timing, combined with his wiry hair and iconic Woody Allen glasses, all produce a winningly hysterical effect. From the line “one thimble of bourbon and I go out and get tattooed,” to this exchange trying to pick up a woman at an art museum, Crowson is 100 percent funny :
Allan: “What are you doing Saturday night?”
Woman: “Committing suicide.”
Allan: “What about Friday night?”
Crowson is joined on stage by a solid cast of mostly Phoenix Theatre newcomers: Charles Ivan Gift did a decent job as Dick; Glynis Mitchell started out a little stiff as Linda but then warmed up considerably; Dennis Paillex was a trench-coated delight as Bogart, and Phoenix regular Kayti Barnett was wonderfully reliable playing several roles.
“Play It Again, Sam” moves with frenetic speed. Suddenly you’re in intermission, and then just as fast, the fun is over. In the end, Linda gets on that plane, Allan finds a new dame and Bogart fades back into legend.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
“Play It Again, Sam”
8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 4 at The Phoenix Theatre, 9673 Firdale Ave., Edmonds. Tickets are $22.50, $18 and $12. Call 206-533-2000 or go to www.phoenixtheatreedmonds.com.
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