‘Play On!’ Packs a Comedic Punch at Theatre Palisades

By CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA | Reporter

From the moment the lights came on at Pierson Playhouse, Theatre Palisades’ latest production, “Play On!” by Rick Abbot and directed by Sherry Coon, was a wild ride.

Set in 1980, “Play On!” gives a backstage perspective of a community theater cast rehearsing to put on a murder mystery play, “A Murder Most Foul.”

But the plot is just the guideline for production, as the play itself dives deeper into the relationships forged between cast members and the various challenges these productions face, all while making you laugh hysterically.

When director Gerry, played by Catherine Rahm, takes on the script written by an inexperienced playwright, she slowly discovers the major holes in the story, like not actually having a murder in it—all while adjusting to last-minute changes.

A community theater production about a community theater production sounds simple enough, but for the actors to successfully take themselves out of their very real situation and bring these characters to life as well as the actors did at Theatre Palisades is no easy feat.

Just when the audience would get lost in the plot and begin to understand the character being portrayed, they were snapped back to reality as the “scene” was over and realize that they were in a dream within a dream.

The first two acts walk you through the hilarious mistakes that would be found in any rehearsal, but leave the audience nervous and hopeful for the final act, when the play is supposed to come together.

The comedic rollercoaster does not disappoint as the final act delivers on its promised trainwreck. At the hands of the skilled actors like Lauren Chapman, who plays Violet, and Ria Erlich as Aggie, the show perfectly fails without leaving you with a feeling of disappointment.

Judging by the roars of laughter and applause, “Play On!” will have a packed house until its final night on May 13.

“Only someone who really knows what it’s like to work in community theater could have written this play,” Director Sherry Coon said in the play bill, showing her appreciation to her cast that made it all come together and committing to a show that everyone will be talking about for a long time.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theatrepalisades.com.