Patrons of The Evergreen Playhouse’s latest production will get to see two shows for the price of one: the advertised show, “Noises Off,” and the play-within-a-play, “Nothing On.”
Following the troupe of actors taking the British farce “Nothing On” on a tour through England, “Noises Off” showcases the show-within-a-show’s on-stage and backstage shenanigans, including misplaced sardines, messy relationships, forgotten lines and missing actors.
“It’s a really, really funny show for everyone, but I think specifically for people who have done a play in any sense (or) have been involved in theater,” said the show’s director, Emilie Brown. “It really, to me, is like a love letter to theater.”
“Noises Off” is one of the most technically difficult shows the Evergreen Playhouse has ever attempted, with most productions using a two-story set that fully revolves on stage.
“When we announced we were doing ‘Noises Off,’ I think the first thing I heard from everybody was, ‘How are you going to pull that off?’” Brown said.
The challenge of putting on the show in the Evergreen Playhouse’s relatively small space was one of the reasons Brown wanted to direct the show, she said.
“I think a lot of people were scared or intimidated, and certainly, there's moments of that for all of us, but really the challenge of, ‘How are we going to make it work in this space and make it go well?’ is what excited me about it,” Brown said.
Costumer Shari Blackwell called the “Noises Off” set “one of the stars of the show,” relating it to the set change in a previous show in Evergreen Playhouse’s 64th season, “Murder on the Orient Express.”
“Do you know how the audience applauded when the set changed? This has that same effect,” Blackwell said.
Further adding to the show’s technical difficulty are a variety of special effects, carefully timed door slams and physical demands on the actors.
“It’s a challenging play, and we’re kind of happy that we’re stepping up to the challenge,” said Derek Wilson, who plays actor Selsdon Mowbray.
“It’s comedy choreography,” added Dan Overton, who plays “Nothing’s On” director Lloyd Dallas.
Despite the challenge, the actors and crew are enjoying the experience of putting the show together.
“It’s just fun to do. It’s like nothing I’ve ever done before,” said Sarah Amador, who plays actor Belinda Blair.
Because the show required a lot of teamwork from the cast and crew to pull off, the finished production showcases a wide spectrum of local talent.
“If you think you’ve seen it before, because it’s been done, you haven’t seen it like this,” Overton said.
Performances will take place from Friday, April 12, through Sunday, April 28. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.
A special pay-what-you can performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 18.
The show is considered PG-13 due to sexual innuendo and jokes that might not be suitable for children.
Purchase tickets ahead of time at https://evergreenplayhouse.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
The Evergreen Playhouse is located at 226 W Center St., Centralia.
Cast list
Dotty Otley: Yvonne MacNeely
Garry Lejeune: Tim Donnell
Frederick Fellowes: Sean-Patrick McNeal
Belinda Blair: Sarah Amador
Lloyd Dallas: Dan Overton
Brooke Ashton: Sooz Watkins
Poppy Norton-Taylor: Becki Perez
Tim Allgood: Jim Larson
Selsdon Mowbray: Derek Wilson
Crew list
Director: Emilie Brown
Stage manager/light design: Danielle Kays
Set design: Isaac McKenzieSullivan, Jeff Eisel
Set construction: Isaac McKenzieSullivan, Jeff Eisel, Theresa McKenzieSullivan, Mark Pendleton, Noah McKenzieSullivan, Brian Hollander
Scenic painting: Therese McKenzieSullivan
Props: Alene Steward
Costumes: Shari Blackwell
Set dressing: Lizzie Conner
Backstage tech: Cora Dailey, Matthew Hawkins
Light/sound board operator: Lizzie Conner
House manager: Janelle Lunzman
