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Wrongs making rights: ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ opens Friday at Actors Guild

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PARKERSBURG -- The newest production of the Actors Guild of Parkersburg opens Friday night.

"The Play That Goes Wrong" is about the Cornley University Drama Society's presentation of "The Murder at Haversham Manor" where everything that could go, goes wrong on opening night.

The Guild Playhouse is at Eighth and Market streets. Curtain time for "The Play That Goes Wrong" is 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, June 23 and 24, 6 p.m. Sunday and 2:30 p.m. June 25. Tickets are $20, $18 for students and seniors, and are available now at https://www.actors-guild.com/buy-tickets.html.

Opening night Friday is nearly sold out, but tickets remain available tickets for the other nights. The production is sponsored by Napoli's and is rated PG for British humor.

'"The Play That Goes Wrong' is the funniest show I have ever seen on stage," director Josh Martin said. "I saw it twice in New York City and laughed just as hard each time. Every rehearsal I laugh until I cry."

The show is set in the 1920s on opening night of "The Murder at Haversham Manor" at the Cornley University Drama Society where everything goes wrong. Props fall during the show, the leading lady is knocked out and a stagehand takes over, lines are missed and a dead man who can't stay dead. The show is deeply based in British comedy that plays on physical humor and puns, according to Martin.

"Fans of 'Monty Python,' 'Mr. Bean,' 'Fawlty Towers' and even 'The Carol Burnett Show' will really enjoy the well-crafted humor," he said. "Even if you don't know much about this style of comedy, you will still be entertained by how well this cast handles the material."

It was written in 2012 by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields of the Mischief Theatre Co.

After seeing the show for the second time, Martin started thinking about how to make the show work on the local stage.

"I knew from the start we could find talented actors, but I have always been concerned with the technical aspects of the show," he said.

Martin spent the last year preparing to get the show ready. The biggest challenge was the set, he said.

"It is most definitely another character. There are so many special effects and tricks that have to 'go wrong' at the right time that it has taken careful planning to make sure we can pull them off safely," he said.

Ben Bradley, a member of the cast , was invaluable in getting the set built and making sure everything was safely accomplished, Martin said.

Rod Oden, a former technical chief for the Actors Guild, last week lent his expertise and helped build the set, getting it ready for dress week, Martin said.

All members of the cast are veteran players.

Bradley plays Dennis, the butler. Willow Peyton plays Annie, the stage hand who replaces Sandra in the first act. Joshua Woodard plays Trevor, another stage hand.

R.J. Lowe plays Chris, the detective. George Litman is Jonathan. Kit Parsons is Robert. Sean Shoop is Max. Alexis Parsons is Sandra.

It's the "dream team" for a comedy show, Martin said.

"The great thing about this cast is they are all seasoned actors who know what it takes to pull off a successful comedy," Martin said.

In addition to Martin, on the production staff are assistant directors Susan Courtney and Ethan Schaffer; production assistant and costumer Rachel Martin, costume assistant Joshua Woodard, Marsha Mueller and Pam Piggott on props and special effects and Nathan Arnold as technical director.

Mueller also is the stage manager with Sabrina Dye as assistant stage manager. The crew includes Hector Velez, Braden Deguzman, Katie Riggs and Josiah Clark.

Starting at /week.