A Farce is a Farce, of...carse of carse?

One of my favorite musicals opens with a plea to the 'gods of comedy and tragedy'. And I am pleased to announce a comedy! While tragedy can challenge our understanding of the world around us and tug at the heartstrings, there is nothing like being in the audience of a live comedy. And there is nothing like laughing at the absurd. And as that goes, tell me what Boris Karloff, Teddy Roosevelt, and Boris Karloff have in common? Yep, that's what I asked! Pretty absurd, huh?

Do you even know who this is?

Now you're really confused.

Farce, as a literary form, has existed as far back as we have recovered records, nearly to the beginning of civilization. Almost 2,500 years ago, the Greek playwright Aristophanes, in works such as Lysistrata and The Frogs, is considered by some to be the classical father of the genre, using pungent political satire, abundantly bawdy sexual innuendos, and buffoonish lampooning of his contemporaries. If you are brave enough, research a "Spartan walking stick", as an example. Gross, but hilarious, and effective.

Farce continued to entertain audiences and develop as a genre across the world through the Roman Republic and Empire, Dynastic China, and African folktales and celebrations. The culmination of this development surely was in the brilliant farce of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries. While some of the...ahem...bodily function humor remains, at this time the authors began to lean more heavily on the political satire and character comedy. And while the subject and language have changed, farce has remained nearly the same in the 400 years since. The mid-1900s boom in the 'theatre of the absurd' produced books such as Catch-22 and Waiting for Godot and films such as Some Like it Hot and The Pink Panther and what is quickly becoming one of my favorite KVTA productions, Arsenic and Old Lace.

A good farcical plot is a slow burn leading to an explosion at the climax. Arsenic and Old Lace is no exception. The plot builds from somewhat humble beginnings in the Brewster mansion and builds through foreshadowing, adding layers of outrageous absurdity and dramatic irony until everything coalesces at the peak and you absolutely lose control and laugh until well after the final bows. Every character, every line of dialogue, every set piece has a purpose, everything building to the hilarious climax.

Be sure to keep your eye on the Brewster sisters.

As is now tradition, KVTA directors continue to stretch the limits of the Black Box Theatre stage. Director Paul Snyder's team may have constructed the most ambitious stage yet. From your first step back into the Black Box, you are peering into an expansive, weathered Victorian mansion. Numerous (and unexpected) entrances and travel throughout the house center the action in the sitting room of the Brewster sisters and give plenty of opportunities for the scenery to be chewed. Despite the amazing extension of the set, an ambitious script like this still provides limitations that the cast and crew must overcome. The creativity of the set builder and designer are matched only by the casts' use of the space.

Most classic absurdist plays are set in their modern times which can often make it difficult for our modern audience to feel invested. At the beginning of the show, it would be convenient to fall back into this thought process, but the cast makes it so difficult to do. The performances are so convincing, I often forgot that these are people I know! As they cross onto the stage, they truly embody their absolutely absurd roles. Two old women, their eccentric family, boarders, policemen, German doctors, and a surprise return. And poor Mortimer, caught in the middle of all this! Compared to the original, the modern acting style places more emphasis on the absurd dialogue and slapstick elements and the building plot keeps you anticipating what comes next.

Oh, poor Mortimer! Hopefully, Elaine can keep him out of trouble.

Those who appreciate classic theatre, fantastic staging, and outstanding performances will love KVTA's Arsenic and Old Lace. Performances are at KVTA's Black Box Theatre on October 23, 24, and 25. Tickets are available now at www.kvta.org. Of course, your enjoyment will be enhanced if you are ready for a carefully crafted farce. Perhaps you can get into the right frame of mind by preparing to debate that a hot dog is legally a taco or comment on mundane, every day life as if it were an art gallery. Or if you are really short on time, just try to lick your elbow. You won't look weird, just absurd!

Dana James has never met a farce that he doesn't fully support.