The Granite Theatre's current show is the Ray Cooney British farce "It Runs
in the Family". Dr. David Mortimer is about to address a neurologists'
convention, which will probably earn him a knighthood. While putting the
final touches to his speech an old flame arrives and announces that their
liaison years ago resulted in a son who is downstairs desperate to meet his
dad. Frantic to hide the catastrophic news from his wife and the hospital
authorities, David is forced to invent not one but two non-existent
husbands! Director Gary Sullivan picks the best people for the 12 roles in
the hysterical show. He is aided by stage manager, Morgan Ban Draoi who
keeps things moving smoothly all night long and Arthur Pignataro who runs
the light and sound.
The laughter is non stop at all the happenings in the show from hanging out
on a window ledge to dressing up as a matron with fake boobs to squirting a
cop in the crotch with seltzer water from a bottle. Playing the lead role of
David is Nick Cianci who hadn't done theatre during his 12 year Navy stint
but his quick witted line delivery and wonderful acting prowess carry the
day. Playing the multicolored long haired son, Leslie, is Patrick Wall who
works at the Mohegan Sun. He captures the madcap behavior of the youth
searching for his long lost father after 18 years. His mother is well played
by the beautiful, blond, Danielle Aube. Her startling appearance at the
hospital after all those years is a laugh out loud moment. David's long
suffering wife, Rosemary who is hiding a secret of her own is played by
another pretty blond, Claire Millous who is able to speak five different
languages in real life. Her real life husband to be, Geoff Leatham plays the
stuffed shirt hospital administrator Sir Willoughby Drake who wants the
lecture to go smoothly. The biggest scene stealer in this show is Brian
Olsen as Dr. Hubert Bonney who saves the matron's life after she falls off
the window ledge. He dresses up as the matron and a vicar to fool the cop.
URI junior, Benjamin Grills tackles the role of Dr. Connolly who is in
charge of the Christmas pantomime. He is over six feet tall and when he is
dressed as the matron with a Marilyn Monroe type of wig, the laughter roared
across the footlights.
The real matron of the hospital is fantastically played by veteran actress,
Carol Anne Williams. She falls out the window while chasing Leslie on the
ledge while she is clutching a huge hypodermic needle. Another hilarious
scene is when Brian mistakenly pulls down her large pantaloons and then he
pretends to be madly in love with her. The police sargeant who is constantly
sprayed with water is played by the comical, Greg Bliven. He looks like he
could break the other actors in half with his strength and he is the one
constantly put upon. Keith Brayne plays the real Mr. Leslie who is in one of
the wards. He is supposed to be elderly and is constantly pushed into walls
and doors. He gets to spray the cop's crotch several times leading to
hilarity from the crowd. Last but not least is Carolyn Trebisacci who plays
two roles in the show. She is a nun and also Hubert's mother who is happy to
have a grandson but is it really hers or not. Not wanting to give away any
more of the plot that has to be seen to be enjoyed. Just know that Gary
gives his performers a lot of sthtick to do in this show. So for an
excellent night of theatre, be sure to catch "It Runs in the Family" before
time runs out.
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY ( 27 June to 27 July), 2008
Granite Theatre, 1 Granite Street, Westerly, RI
