Theatre People

The Angel Next Door

Hello friends. Are you tired, rundown, listless? Do you poop out at parties? Are you unpopular? The answer to all your problems is in this delightful two-act farce. Paraphrasing the familiar opening words of that hilarious Vitameatavegamin commercial sketch from “I Love Lucy” seems apropos. It brings to mind the special kind of gleeful, gut-busting romantic comedy that actor and playwright, Paul Slade Smith, incorporates into his latest side-splitting, screwball comedy, THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR. Like “I Love Lucy,” the play is a fast-paced entertainment that takes theatergoers away from their personal problems, as well as today’s taxing, troublesome world, and provides a witty, very funny story about theatre people.

Adapted from a 1926 Hungarian farce, the comedy is about a famous Broadway playwriting couple who are treating a young, first-time author to a weekend getaway at a luxurious hotel. Charlotte and Arthur Sanders are counting on Oliver Adams to grant them the rights to adapt his first novel, The Angel Next Door, into a Broadway-bound play. The husband-and-wife team chose this particular plush bed-and-breakfast inn because they knew that another very special young woman would also be staying there. Lovely, talented Broadway star, Margot Bell, who was Oliver’s actual model for his “angel next door,” is just one room away. Through the thin walls of Oliver’s room, a romantic scene is overheard taking place between Margot and handsome matinee idol, Victor Pratt. That sets off the conflict that propels the remainder of the play. Add to the mix a tiny, older woman named Olga, a grim, gloomy hotel hireling, whose dour demeanor provides so much of the play’s comedy.

Skillfully orchestrated by Jeff-nominated director Linda Fortunato, this frantic farce revolves around the misunderstandings and the machinations of desperate people. And since five out of the six characters happen to be showbiz folks, the play’s also about the power of theatre. Ms. Fortunato’s skill as a brilliant choreographer also comes in handy while, in guiding her six actors, she understands how to amp up the energy with plenty of manic movement. She’s particularly fortunate to be staging her work on another of scenic designer’s gorgeous, meticulously detailed sets. Karin Kopischke’s lovely costumes add an another layer of glamor and authenticity to the play, reminding theatergoers that this screwball comedy takes place in 1948. Christine A. Binder’s lighting bathes the story in warmth and illumination, while Josh Schmidt and Dee Etti-Williams’ co-created sound design provide a palette of audible accent.  

Ms. Fortunato is also working with her favorite actor, her husband Sean. This gifted performer, who seems to continuously be performing somewhere in Chicago, skillfully portrays easily agitated playwright, Arthur Sanders. He’ll be remembered at Northlight for his warmhearted portrayal of Mr. Marks in INTIMATE APPAREL, as well as Frank Sr. in Marriott’s CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, Miss Trunchbull in Drury Lane’s MATILDA and Malvolio in TWELFTH NIGHT at Writers Theatre. 

The extraordinary Katy Sullivan owns the stage as his strong-willed wife, Charlotte. This genial and gifted Tony Award-nominated actress for Broadway’s COST OF LIVING is the leading character in this play. She easily instills Smith’s comedy with a measure of dignity, while effortlessly providing the plot with her quick, witty repartee. all the while creating the chaotic, farcical situation that carries the comedy. Ms. Sullivan is, in a word, splendid.

As newly discovered novelist, Oliver Adams, multitalented Garrett Lutz truly shines. Recently seen at the Marriott in TITANIC, as well as in many of their Theatre for Young Audience productions, such as THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS, Mr. Lutz is terrific. He portrays an accomplished author who’s fictional love story is more of an autobiographical fantasy than he wants to admit. Garrett proves, once again, that he’s a comic genius. Oliver’s reaction to finding out that the girl of his dreams is involved with “Broadway’s greatest baritone” is priceless.

Beautiful, talented Aja Alcazar returns to Northlight after appearing as kookie and spunky Luna in THE HEART SELLERS. Ms. Alcazar is also a lovely vocalist, having been enjoyed in Drury Lane’s productions of ALWAYS, PATSY CLINE and RING OF FIRE, among many other Chicago musicals. As Margot Bell, she once again graces the Northlight stage, exquisitely playing a musical star of the Broadway stage and a passionate young woman who lives life to the fullest. Margot is not only the love interest of shy author Oliver Adams, but the paramour of conceited Broadway baritone, Victor Pratt. Making his Northlight debut, talented Andres Enriquez makes a true comical cad out of this grinning seducer of beautiful women. Mr. Enriquez’s cunning character provokes the audience to cheer for Charlotte’s clever scheme to take him down. 

But the actress who steals the production as Olga is Erin Noel Grennan. Reminiscent of Frau Blucher, in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Olga has a thick eastern European accent of an indeterminate lineage. She’s both foreboding and frightening, not a woman with with whom one should tamper or tease. Ms. Grennan’s talent as a comedian is beautifully displayed in her character’s stiff body language, dour facial expression and low-key line delivery. Audiences will leave this hilarious comedy definitely remembering Olga, her dry wit and the journey her character takes—thanks to Erin Noel Grennan’s brilliant performance.

A big thank you to Northlight Theatre, playwright Paul Slade Smith and director Linda Fortunato and her talented cast and crew for bringing laughter back to the theatre with THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR. We say this a lot lately, but it’s definitely true today: more than ever now audiences desperately need entertainment that makes the theatergoer grin, giggle and guffaw with amusement. As we gratefully chuckle and chortle at this fabulous farce, we’re reminded of how grateful we are for well-written comedies and all those truly talented theatre people.                     

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented April 9-May 10 by Northlight Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the theatre box office, by calling 847-673-6300, or by going to www.northlight.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Photos are by Justin Barbin