Another year at Hopkins means quite a lot: new freshmen girls for the senior guys, classes that immediately start off with homework, but, most importantly, a fresh start for JHU theatre. With the momentum of last year's performances still going strong, the Barnstormers decided on The Underpants for their opening show. This Carl Sternheim play was adapted by Steve Martin, the classic Saturday Night Live funnyman, and proved to be an excellent choice -- there wasn't an empty seat in the Swirnow Theatre. It was either that or the price of admission (free). Anyway, the audience looked ready to laugh, anticipating a comedy because of Steve Martin's reputation, and they were not let down.
It is the day of the king's parade. A young, German housewife named Louise (Lisa Carey), in hopes of getting a better view, climbs to a spot above the rest of the crowd. However, in an unexpected turn of events, her underpants fall down around her ankles. After she unintentionally provides a free show for everyone in the neighborhood, her strict, government-employed husband (Noah Stanzione) is mortified -- though the rest of Germany's men are entranced by the woman and her slight wardrobe malfunction. Every man in the area comes flocking to rent the couple's open room, and a comedic craziness ensues with the kind of wit and innuendo that one should expect from a Steve Martin play.
The production's technical features were simple but impressive since every aspect of the play was organized over the summer. The set was constructed perfectly to fit the economic and social class of Louise and her husband. The lighting didn't play much of a role, but when the lights were used, they were used well (as in The Underpants' quick, scene-ending blackouts). One more thing brought the set alive: the acting.
Ridiculous. It's the only word I can come up with to summarize The Underpants, and it works all too well. Whether it was just the adaptation from Steve Martin, or thanks to the ensemble themselves, the comedy won over the audience immediately and kept them laughing throughout the show, up to and through the very end. In the humor department, two actors stood out and made every one of their lines and actions hilarious. The poet Versati (Chris Hamel) and the barber Kohen with a `k' (Raffi Wartanian), a duo of suitors to Louise, were the two reasons behind the comedic success of the show.
From his very first, over-the-top entrance, Hamel had the audience in his hand. The flamboyant, artistic poet was complemented by the quirky barber. While Hamel's humor was chiefly in his delivery and movement, Wartanian's was in his face, body, and especially fingers (whenever he would say "desire," Wartanian became Jimi Hendrix). Hamel and Wartanian are kings of physical comedy and are a pleasure to watch, so look out for the next play they're in.
With Hamel and Wartanian keeping the energy up, the rest of the ensemble followed suit -- not necessarily with wild humor, but they were definitely entertaining. Case in point: Noah Stanzione's character was hardheaded and work-driven, and although he was an offensive bigot, the audience was still attracted and amused by his brash and politically incorrect nature. Stanzione's counterpart, Lisa Carey, though a much sweeter character than her husband, was not without her devilish side. In the course of The Underpants, she went back and forth from being an innocent, young housewife to a lustful, sexual woman, and each transition seemed natural and earnest. Alongside Carey throughout the show was Loandra Torres, who played Gertrude, the endearing, eavesdropping neighbor. The two actresses were sisters on stage, projecting a relationship that looked like it had been formed years ago.
Taking a quick glance at the five main actors, it's surprising that such chemistry existed between all of them on stage. These are students from different grades, different acting educations, and different acting groups who came together over the summer and were able to put together a great show. This has to be a testament to the director of The Underpants, senior Emily Ethridge, who has been a part of theater here for four years now. It is also worth mentioning that it is tough to act in a play filled with one-liners -- yet this piece's actors were able to deliver them without detracting from the story's plot.
For example, when Versati, exasperated with Louise's husband, declares "You're barbaric," Wartanian's Kohen fires back, "How dare you insult barbers?!" With a script made up of clever and slightly cheesy jokes, the actors were able to remain honest to their characters, keeping the audience satisfied for the duration of the performance. The witty banter also helped keep up the show's pace, never allowing for a span of dullness.
The Underpants was a great selection to kick off the semester. It was quick, sharp, and humorous -- perfect for new members of the Hopkins theater community. Let's hope the rest of the plays this season are as entertaining -- or at least deal with underwear.
