Local movie critic Axel Hammond is the type of character you wish you had as a friend. One of the main characters in playwright Larry Shue's "The Nerd," he makes deadpan wisecracks that show just how smart he is while sending the audience into violent laughter.
The latest AU Players production coaxes every ounce of comedy out of this already funny play. Director Mike Silver, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, built cast chemistry to create scene upon scene of dynamic and intelligent hilarity.
Silver said that he was drawn to direct Shue's play because of its accessible humor.
"It's not like Shakespeare where the audience doesn't know what the hell is going on," he said. "This is theater for everybody, and it's damn funny."
Tansy McGinnis is a kindhearted aspiring weather woman who hosts a birthday party for her architect friend and near-love interest Willum Cubbert with Hammond's help. When Rick Steadman, the nerd who earns the play its title and who supposedly saved Cubbert's life, shows up to the party, comedy unfolds out of his disruptive social awkwardness. He fails to understand social nuance, saying the wrong things at the wrong times and suggesting inappropriate parlor games. Cubbert's uptight architectural client, Warnock Waldgrave, his quiet, apologetic wife Celia and his devilish child Thor are completely bewildered, almost offended by Steadman's inexplicable behavior.
The humor of "The Nerd" comes from the dynamics between its characters. Silver succeeded in creating distinct and believable characters who have immense comic chemistry between them. Its comedy, however, also really makes you turn inward. These characters are so refreshingly hilarious because they remind you of people you know and yourself. Silver said he worked with his cast to understand the world from which the characters come from.
"I taught them to consider the character first, situation second," he said.
Each character's quirk feeds off the others', allowing for rollicking group scenes. Steadman's social obtuseness pulls out the easily aggravated nature of Waldgrave's personality, and in turn further stresses his nervous wife, who must relieve her frustration by breaking Tansy's plates. Hammond's dry one-liners punctuate the chaos.
The cast has an easy rapport that allows for such high-energy and ridiculous scenes to feel believable. Keyan Herron, a sophomore in CAS, brings to life Steadman's awkwardness with insightful mannerisms and physical humor. Hammond, played by Bo Banducci, a freshman in the School of International Service, delivers his lines with such authenticity that it's hard to imagine he's acting. His is the type of humor underscored with seriousness and deep understanding, and Banducci brings out the complexity of his character's comedy.
Tansy, played by Brookes Mae, a junior in the School of Communication, has an unflustered grace that augments the neurosis of the play's other characters and adds warmth to the humor. Cubbert, played by David Pritchard, a sophomore in CAS, is the type of loveable, but misguided main character who stars in romantic comedies you actually want to see.
Even the play's supporting cast is incredibly strong, from the intense business man Waldgrave, played by Sam Okine, a senior in the Kogod School of Business, to his wife, played by Caroline Sabatier, a freshman in CAS, and their screaming son, played by Katie Burns-Yokum, a sophomore in CAS.
"It's been really cool to see the actors bring their own slice to the production," Silver said. "They've enhanced my original ideas."
Silver's vision, enriched by a talented cast and crew, makes for a thinking-man's comedy. You'll laugh until you sob, but its humor will ultimately make you rethink what you take for normal.
The show will open Thursday and continue through Saturday in the Katzen Arts Center's Studio Theater. Tickets are $5 at the door.
You can reach this staff writer at agoldstein@theeagleonline.com.
