By Kaylee Johnson
Campus News
“The Play That Goes Wrong” at New World Stages in Manhattan proved to be a superbly produced, humorous spoof of amateur actors and the contrived seriousness of drama. The play was performed in one of several intimately sized theaters in the New World Stages complex. I was very impressed with the unique layout of the complex; think of a fancy multiplex cinema, but with Broadway shows instead of the newest Marvel movies. Having been to a lot of plays and musicals in my life, I prefer smaller theaters, because all of the seats offer stellar views and the audience has much less trouble feeling immersed in the rendezvous occurring on the stage. And since “The Play That Goes Wrong” is such an unconventional show – mocking a low-budget college production – a smaller theater seemed fitting. At times, people in the audience were encouraged to shout out answers to questions asked by the cast mid-show, and during intermission actors walked down the aisles in character, chatting up bashful theatergoers about off-color topics. I was not keen of the disruptions and at-times corniness of the humor, but I can’t deny that there was a constant lightness in the air fueled by the sincere laughter of tourists and regular theatergoers alike.
The show only had eight characters, Trevor (Ryan Vincent Anderson), Chris (Matt Harrington), Jonathon (Chris Lanceley), Robert (Brent Bateman), Dennis (Bartley Booz), Sandra (Ashley Reyes), Max (Matt Walker), and Annie (Bianca Horn). All of the actors had different strengths that made them standout as comedic stars. For instance, Walker was immensely animated and provocative, while Booz was able to make the entire audience snort by flamboyantly changing the pitch of his voice. The play itself is a jokey rendition of the fictious “The Murder at Haversham Manor” and pokes fun at murder mysteries and college theater productions and the wild disorganization that often comes with them. The actors play talentless, yet incredibly charismatic Cornley University Drama Society members. What differentiates “The Play That Goes Wrong” from other Broadway shows is how unpretentious it is. Actors make fools of themselves and audiences marvel at the artistically cringe-worthy moments that they would not be able to see elsewhere.
The set of “The Play That Goes Wrong” is a quirky masterpiece. Throughout the show faulty props, clumsy actors, and on-stage injuries made the audience erupt in laughter. Even I found myself chuckling at the nonsensical humor that people desperately crave for after weeks of grueling stress and laborious jobs. “I needed this,” I said as I walked out of the theater. Nobody heard me say it; and if they did. they would have brushed it off. Over the past few months I have been dealing with a plethora of issues and “The Play That Goes Wrong” acted as the ideal escape from the intricacies of my own mind. The jokes were very British and slapstick, but well-written and universally droll. Overall, “The Play That Went Wrong” reminded me of an episode of a goofy sitcom from the seventies; specifically created to divert your attention from the world around you, even if it is only for two measly hours. It is always better to spend your time immersed in theater than scrolling through social media or watching reruns of your favorite television show. Every time I leave a show, no matter the caliber, I carry a new piece of wisdom with me and “The Play That Goes Wrong” taught me to be less emotionally pent up.
I have heard nose-in-the-air, binge drinking, art connoisseurs proclaim that comedy is not an art, but they are so consumed by privilege and superiority that they can’t recognize the unmistakable art in the delivery of jokes. “The Play That Goes Wrong” is for everybody; the abstract artist, scientist, introvert, and boisterous lush. In fact, if you arrive to the New World Stages early, stop at one of the neighboring bars to get a few drinks; or drinks are available at the venue itself. The show will be twice as funny with Jägermeister in your bloodstream!
If you have already seen “The Play That Goes Wrong” or are completely anti-fun, New World Stages is also home to two more acclaimed Broadway shows, “Jersey Boys” and “Avenue Q.”
If you are a community college student at a campus where we normally deliver papers, you can enter our photo contest to try to win tickets (see page 1), or you can simply buy tickets through Telecharge.com or by phone at 212-239-6200. Or you can visit the box office in person at New World Stages Box Office at 340 West 50th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues), where the show is now running.
The show is nightly, except Tuesdays, at 7 p.m. (8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays) and also at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s two hours with a 15-minute intermission.
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