Orinda Starlight Village Players has certainly upped its game with its production of “Present Laughter.” Under the skilled hands of Director Patrick Atkinson and his talented cast and crew, the Noel Coward comedy moves quickly with actors taking full advantage of the playwright’s witty dialogue and colorful characters.
Set in 1941, the comedy depicts a few days in the life of actor Garry Essendine. As he prepares for a touring engagement in Africa, he finds himself beset with women intent on seducing him. Add in an ex-wife, a crazed young playwright and Essendine’s own mid-life crisis and chaos reigns throughout the two-hour production.
Matt Cardigan-Smith is a triple threat given his stellar performance as the self-obsessed Essendine, his gorgeous period costumes and elegant set design. He also found time to design the cast’s hair and makeup.
The vivacious Ella Frances Vatvani brings an infectious energy as the young Daphne Stillington determined to have Essendine for her own.
Yvette Niccolls plays the eccentric housekeeper Miss Erikson with flair while Shiv Harris creates the perfect put-upon secretary who holds everything together.
The remaining cast members (Marc Berman, Kelsey Bye, Max O. Chang, Mimi Hamilton, Will Spongberg, Ken Sollazzo — who alternates with Kenneth Matis — and Amy Stringer) bring their varied talents to create wonderfully funny, diverse characters.
“Present Laughter” continues Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at Orinda Community Park Amphitheatre on 28 Orinda Way. Cushions are provided but be sure and bring heavy jackets for cooler evenings. For tickets, go to orsvp.org/present-laughter.
Berkeley: Central Works continues its epic production of Niccolo Machiavelli’s life and times with Gary Graves’ “The Prince Parts 1 and 2.”
Graves’ clever, cohesive writing captures most of Machiavelli’s adult life as he dedicates his life to supporting his beloved Florence through wars and natural disasters.
Also directing the pair of three-hour episodes, Graves has assembled an incredibly talented five-person cast to portray Machiavelli and the remarkable people who intersect with his life.
Part I follows young Machiavelli’s (Kevin Singer) entrance into Florentine politics and his dealings with the “Mad Monk” Savonarola (Mark Farrell) and Duke Cesare Borgia (Brennan Pickman-Thoon).
Part II follows Machiavelli (Mark Farrell) as the consummate political strategist and his complicated relationships with Leonardo da Vinci (Michael Ray Wisely) and Michelangelo (Brennan Pickman-Thoon). When Florence falls to an invading army, Machiavelli and his beloved city fall with mafia-like hitmen (Wisely, Singer) and the beautiful Zenobia (Marah Sotelo) determined to eliminate the invaders and return Florence to its former glory.
The ambitious piece is beautifully performed with consummate actors and Graves’ skilled direction and witty script.
Audiences can see both parts in rotation through Sept. 6. For tickets, call 510-558-1381 or go to centralworks.org.
Also in Berkeley: Known for undertaking diverse works from new interpretations of the classics to edgy modern dramas, Shotgun Players continues its trend with Gary Owens’ “Iphigenia in Splott,” running through Aug. 23 at the Ashby Playhouse on 1901 Ashby Ave.
Alicia Mason takes on the challenging role of Effie in Shotgun Players’ “Iphigenia in Splott,” running through Aug. 23 in Berkeley. (Photo courtesy of Ben Krantz)
Inspired by the Euripidean “Iphigenia in Aulis,” Gary Owen’s work follows the brash, reckless Effie (short for Iphigenia) as she stumbles through life with hookups and hangovers. When reality rushes in, she faces tough decisions.
Like the mythological sacrifice of Iphigenia to save the Greek army in Euripides’ work, this modern-day Effie also experiences sacrifice imposed by government welfare cuts and systemic social inequality. Effie’s sacrifice, however, is not as willingly as Euripides’ heroine. She tends to scream and rail against injustice rather than voluntarily giving in.
Owen’s 75-minute, no-intermission play features only one actor, the superb Alicia Mason. She tackles this incredibly challenging role with a fiery sexuality that’s impossible to ignore. Just when you’ve had enough of her hip grinding, she surprises with a tenderness that brings tears to your eyes.
Michelle Talgarow writes in her director’s notes: “Effie is a representation of every type of hustler I know and knew. They are the people who work multiple jobs, who work the streets, who work the angles, who get pointed at, stepped on, laughed at, looked down upon, and they are the people that give us that privilege to complain, protest and proclaim.”
This is not a show for the faint of heart. Effie’s speeches are filled with four-letter expletives, and her actions often simulate raw sex. But if you aren’t afraid of seeing a seedier side of life performed by a consummate professional, be sure and catch “Iphigenia in Splott.”
For tickets, call 510-841-6500 x 303 or go to tickets.shotgunplayers.org.
Alameda: Altarena Playhouse reminds us that friendship, romance and a little mischief never go out of style with Noel Coward’s “Fallen Angels,” running Aug. 21 through Sept. 20.
Directed by Katina Psihos, the sophisticated comedy tells of two married women who once had the same lover. Now the dashing lover has returned, and the women plot and plan over copious glasses of champagne.
For more information, go to altarena.org.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.