Are we beginning to forget what life was like before the crash, when extravagance overruled common sense? If so, then George Kelly’s “The Show-Off” is just what the doctor ordered.
We’re not talking about the zeitgeist before the post- 9/11 worldwide economic crisis, but the Roaring Twenties run-up to the Great Depression. Time (and the clock in this production) has a funny way of playing tricks on us.
The two eras bear an unmistakable resemblance because they were both driven by greed, and one of Kelly’s central motifs in this 1924 melodramatic comedy is our relationship with money.
Into the lives of the hard- working, aspiring, middle- class Fishers — Mr. and Mrs. and their three grown children — comes Aubrey Piper (Travis W. Boswell), an egoist and fibber of the first order, courting the youngest daughter, Amy (Jennifer Anne Forsyth).
The story sets up quickly as mom (Lori Hansen) chats with her older daughter, Clara (Suzanna Wellens), who is framed as the sensible one, having married the older and financially secure Frank Hyland (Paul Caouette). Their gossip concerns Amy’s blind love for Aubrey, which overlooks his awful toupee, career ruse, salary exaggerations, and tycoon tastes on a clerk’s salary.
Wellen’s pert Clara seduces us with her practicality, then raises our eyebrows with a wistful romanticism that challenges our assumptions. Han- sen’s no-nonsense, old-school Mrs. Fisher has some surprises up her sleeve as well.
Boswell plays Aubrey with a personality as big as the character’s sky-high regard for himself; his goofy laugh alone sends the audience over the moon. Forsyth’s gaga- eyed Amy’s adoration for this clown fills us with superiority: We could never be that foolish! Hah!
Kelly plays on our bourgeois prejudices toward the young couples’ relationships, then deftly reverses fields, forcing us off balance and leaving us vulnerable to his message — don’t focus on the money; focus on your gift. While we laugh at Aubrey’s hyperbolic audacity, guess who teaches us the biggest lesson of all?
Paul Caouette’s steady but dispassionate Frank, Patrick Mann’s inquisitive yet inexperienced Joe Fisher, Albert Banker’s avuncular Mr. Fisher, Lawrence Allen’s thoughtful Mr. Gill, and Eric Victor’s perfunctory Mr. Rogers provide local color.
The final preview performance before opening was diluted by some timing issues and a few slow lines that, with this fine cast, are sure to disappear during the run.
Bob Bows also reviews theater for Variety, for KUVO/89.3 FM and for his website, . He can be reached at bbows@coloradodrama.com.
“The Show-Off” *** (out of four stars)
Period comedy. Germinal Stage-Denver, 2450 W. 44th Ave. Written by Charles Ludlam. Directed by Ed Baierlein. Starring Suzanna Wellens, Lori Hansen, Jennifer Anne Forsyth, Patrick Mann and Travis W. Boswell. 2 hours, 10 minutes. Through Dec. 14. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 7 p.m. Sundays. $15.75-$19.75. 303-455-7108.
This weekend’s theater openings
“The 1940s Radio Christmas Carol” Last year, the Bas Bleu Theatre bowed the world premiere of Walt Jones’ long-anticipated sequel to “The 1940s Radio Hour.” It’s still WOV Radio’s 1943 Christmas Eve broadcast of “A Christmas Carol.” But the story has since been musicalized. Through Jan. 4. 401 Pine St., Fort Collins, 970-498-8949 or
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
Charlie Bucket’s adventurous tour of Willy Wonka’s world-famous chocolate factory. Through Dec. 21. Victorian Playhouse, 4201 Hooker St., 303-433-4343 or
“Funny Money”
Another farce by Ray Cooney (“Run For Your Wife”), this one about a mild-mannered C.P.A. who accidentally picks up the wrong briefcase — and it’s full of money. Through Dec. 20. Spotlight Theatre Company at the John Hand Theatre, 7653 E. 1st Place, 720-880-8727 or
“Godspell”
Stephen Scwartz’s energetic musical based on the gospel of St. Matthew is filled with popular songs (“Day by Day”) and an irresistible good will. Through Dec 21. Aurora Fox, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora, 303-739-1970 or
“It’s a Wonderful Life”
A sentimental holiday favorite about George Bailey, the depressed small-town banker who is rescued on Christmas Eve by Clarence, his guardian angel. Opens Tuesday, runs through Dec. 28. Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., 720-898-7200 or
“Lady Windermere’s Fan”
Oscar Wilde’s 1892 comedy satire. Lady Windermere discovers her husband may be having an affair with a woman who sacrifices herself and her reputation to save Lady W’s marriage. Through Dec. 6. Upstart Crow, Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-444-7328 or
“The Miracle Worker”
A young, blind teacher in 1887 Alabama tries to break through to a wild and disobedient Helen Keller. Through Dec. 20. Denver Center Theatre Company, Space Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or
Complete theater listings
Go to our complete list of every currently running production in Colorado, including summaries, run dates, addresses, phones and links to every company’s home page.
This week’s video podcast:
Running Lines at … The Guthrie Theater
This week, Denver Post theater critic John Moore tours Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theater, which recently reopened as a new $125 million facility housing three theaters operating on an annual budget of $26 million. It is considered by some the crown jewel of American regional theaters. Recorded Nov. 7, 2008. Run time: 9 minutes.
