See How They Run at CPT

I played Miss Skillon in See How They Run when I was in high school so I always love seeing a performance of this hilarious play. I went to a production at CPT last night with my sisters and it was so much fun and incredibly nostalgic. The action takes place in the vicarage of a village called Merton-cum-Middlewick during World War II. Clive (Dylan Padilla), an American soldier stationed in England, visits his old friend Penelope (Jordan Clark) who is now married to the Rev. Lionel Toop (Scott Butler). Ida (Jenni Cooper), her cockney maid who loves American movies, is flustered by his arrival but Miss Skillon (Holly Reid), a meddling spinster who is in love with Rev. Toop, is convinced that Penelope is having an affair with him.  Penelope suggests that Clive wear the Rev. Toop's second best suit and clerical collar so that they can dodge army regulations and see a play together.  Mayhem ensues when Miss Skillon sees something that she shouldn't and imbibes too much cooking sherry, when Penelope's sedate uncle the Bishop of Lax (Randon Jensen) arrives unexpectedly, when the mild-mannered Rev. Arthur Humphries  (David Johnson) arrives early for the service on Sunday, and when an escaped German POW (Blake London) knocks Rev. Toop out in order to steal his clothes. The action is incredibly fast-paced and you almost can't catch your breath in between fits of laughter at the absurd goings-on! At one point, there are five men in clerical garb chasing each other through the garden and into the house and it is so funny when they jump over a prostrate Miss Skillon but it is even funnier when they continue to jump over her even when she is no longer there (I was always afraid that they wouldn't jump in time when I was the one laying on the floor). There are also some amusing scenes involving several characters who hide in a cupboard, including an inebriated Miss Skillon (these were my favorite scenes to play because I always tried to come up with funny poses to get the other actors to break character), multiple cases of mistaken identity, a misplaced uniform, and a bumbling inspector (Zar Hayes) who accidentally apprehends the German POW. The entire cast is outstanding and they do a great job with all of the madcap physical comedy.  Butler, Jensen, and Reid are especially fun to watch as their characters become more and more exasperated, outraged, and outrageous, respectively. I loved the elaborate set, especially the doors leading out to the garden with views of the church and the aforementioned cupboard, as well as the period costumes.  Seeing this show brought back so many wonderful memories (I am surprised by how many of Miss Skillon's lines I remembered) and I loved every minute! I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) to a performance on the Mountain America Main Stage through February 26.