Breaking Legs
The current show at the Newport Playhouse is the very funny,
"Breaking Legs". The setting is an Italian restaurant in a small New
England university town where the worlds of the Mafia and theatre clash
hilariously with each other. A professor/playwright seeks funding for his
new play from a former student's family. The former student is a
lusty, unwed woman who has a major crush on and is hot for the
professor. Her ''family'' turns out to be three Mafia godfathers who are
involved with the untimely death of a thug associate. When the playwright
learns about the "accidental" killing, his bubble is burst when he
finds out his backers are gangsters.The hilarious antics of all the
characters under the direction of Matt Siravo will lead the audience in
gales of laughter from start to finish when you finally find out the
woman of the house really rules the roost.
Not only does Matt direct this show but he plays the role of Lou
Graziano, Angie's father. He casts all the roles very well with each one
fitting their parts to a tee and his stage manager, Henryce Zaninni
keeps things running smoothly all night long, too. As Lou, Matt controls
everyone and everything in his life except his strong willed daughter. He
gives the part the humor it needs and the warmth with Angie comes through
in all their scenes. Matt and his two sidekicks have various specials of
the day brought to their table while discussing the play with
the professor while offering their expertise on showbiz. (Which is none
but they are the money men so their word counts.) One of the funniest
moments of the show is when the three Mafia dons break out into
a chorus of "Tomorrow". Lou mangles the English language a couple of times
when he says the statue of limitations is up. The two lovers in this show
are Camille Terilli and Nishan Lawton. Camille is a beautiful redhead who
is fantastic as the strong willed, Angie,commanding her scenes with
her strong stage presence. She makes the three Mafia dons do her bidding
throughout the show and one of her strongest scenes is when she runs
roughshod over them near the end of the show. One of her funniest lines
comes during an argument with her father when she threatens to leave home
if they don't accept the script the way it is and says she won't lose
her man to "that man eating bitch". The seduction of the professor is
hilarious as she wraps her legs around his neck and she moans in
orgasmic delight as he rubs her feet. Angie also yells at Terry saying
wakes aren't life. Nishan is topnotch as Terence O'Keefe, the serious hard
working professor who finally stands up to the hoodlums when they
want to rewrite his play into the "Student Prince" or add a fat niece,
Carmela playing the accordion to the script. He has a comic
drunken scene in the second act when he drinks everyone's shot of
booze which is a hoot. Then when Angie convinces him that he
truly loves her, he sweeps her offstage to have his way with her
on the Castro convertible couch in her office. The professor tries to
bargain with the hoods but it is Angie who saves the day. Both
Camille and Nishan have a lot of chemistry together and with the other
cast members, too.
Ed Carusi plays Uncle Mike Francisco who always has problems
with his stomach but still orders hot peppers and meatballs while
guzzling wine. He reminds you of Joe Pesci and wears a wig that makes him
look him,too. Ed plays the head gangster with ease while delivering his
many humorous lines. His funny laugh and the blessing of
themselves when they mention so and so should rest in peace are comic
standout moments. His right hand man, Tino DeFelice is played by
Fred Davison who also designed and built the gorgeous restaurant set with
Jonathan Perry . He delivers the goods in this role as the
intimidating and threatening thug who also knows about show business. His
funniest line is when he says that the playwright's graphic murder scenes
in his play makes his blood run cold and the professor is probably a
secret hit-man. The mafiosi in this show are a laugh
riot. Rounding out the cast is Kyle Medeiros as the nervous thug,
Frankie Salvucci. He tries to smooth talk his way out of paying the
hoodlums off. Kyle shakes and quakes when being questioned where the
missing money is and his huge eyes at being frightened by the thugs is
reminiscent of the cook in the Three Stooges films. His funniest bit is
when he tries to light a cigarette with a lighter but can't do it because
his hand is shaking uncontrollably. His line delivery and comic antics
will keep the laughter going on. So for a fantastic evening of dinner
before the show prepared by Sue Raposa with delicious meals of all you can
eat food, a hilarious show and a fun filled cabaret, be sure to catch this
expert delivery of "Breaking Legs".
BREAKING LEGS ( 27 May to 12 July, 2009)
Newport Playhouse, 104 Connell Highway, Newport,
RI
1 (401) 848-PLAY or www.newportplayhouse.com