Staying alert is the key to watching Plotline Theatre Company’s hysterical “Bullshot Crummond.” You can’t just watch the stage. You need to keep an eye on the upper balconies adjacent to the stage, or you’ll miss flying birds, an airplane crash and much more. Subtlety has nothing to do with this insane British farce, and directors Randy Anger and Matthew Davis have taken that to heart as they add one over-the-top action after another.
Fortunately, Anger and Davis have the right cast to execute the extravagant performances. I saw the show at the final dress rehearsal and, except for a few tweaks here and there, it was ready for prime time. Jacob Henrie-Naffaa has spot-on timing as Bullshot Crummond. His physical comedy and facial expressions convey Crummond’s arrogant yet very charming personality. This is the last chance to see this talented performer before he moves to Los Angeles.
Jacob Henrie-Naffaa, from left in front, and Erin Hurley and Melynda Kiring, from left in back, John Blytt and Robert Marcus perform in the insane British farce playing through Aug. 15 at the Campbell Theater in Martinez, “Bullshot Crummond.” (photo courtesy of Charlie Jarrett)Kudos also to Melynda Kiring, whose excellent comedic timing makes her a joy to watch as the evil Lenya Von Bruno. Robert Marcus plays her partner in crime Otto Von Bruno, who has the very challenging task of portraying two characters on stage at the same time. The fast change award, though, goes to John Blytt, who portrays a myriad of characters including a kidnapped professor, a Scotland Yard inspector and an accordion-playing waiter, to name just a few. Rounding out the cast is Pleasant Hill’s College Park High School student Erin Hurley, who adds character to the professor’s daughter with a unique laugh.
“Bullshot Crummond” continues through Aug. 15 at the Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St. in Martinez. For tickets, go to campbelltheater.com or call 925-350-9770. Audience members must show proof of vaccination.
Shows canceled: Chanticleers Theatre has canceled all in-person performances of “The Four Poster.” The two-person show, which opened July 16, was scheduled to run through Aug. 8 at the small, indoor theater in Castro Valley. The recent dramatic increase in COVID cases is the reason stated on the theater’s Facebook page for the cancellations.
Although I’m sure the rise in COVID cases contributed to the theater’s decision to stop live performances, it seems the more immediate reason is the unvaccinated status of the two leads, a couple in real life. While Chanticleers required masks of all patrons, crew and staff and didn’t allow seating in the first two rows of the theater, the fact that this information was not made public has created quite an outrage.
As one of the opening night audience members, who also met with the performers afterwards, I feel rather blindsided myself. I was just about to publish my review when a friend mentioned the cancellations to me in a casual conversation. A review now would be pointless, but I do want to mention the gorgeous set and sound design by Jon Gourdine and Lisa Danz’s fabulous costumes. Those holding tickets for canceled shows will receive refunds (go to chanticleers.org). A streamed version of the show is also available.
Oakland: “The Dream Life of Malcolm X,” which had been postponed, will now begin in-person shows Aug. 6. Staged by the Oakland Theater Project, the outdoor performances continue through Sept. 5 at FLAX art and design, 1501 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Oakland.
Written by John Wilkins, the one-person show is directed by Dawn Troupe and features actor William Hodgson. According to Artistic Director Michael Moran, the show uses some of the speeches of Malcolm X as “jumping-off points and interweaves often-forgotten parts of his life into a one-person show designed to disorient audiences in a good way.” For tickets, go to oaklandtheaterproject.org or call 510-646-1126.
Clayton: With “food” as the theme, the Clayton Theatre Company (CTC) held their Summer Stage Camp for the first time in two years. Hungry for interaction, the children performed “Food Glorious Food” and “Be Our Guest” as well as short monologues in front of their families. It’s been a long wait for audiences and cast members, but CTC will finally perform “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” in October. This hilarious who-dun-it features a high body count and lots of fun. Go to claytontheatrecompany.com for ticket information.
Orinda: Aug. 6 begins a reader’s theater series at the picturesque Orinda Community Park Amphitheater, 28 Orinda Way. Produced by Orinda Starlight Village Players, the first show is a new adaptation of Moliere’s “Tartuffe,” which runs Aug. 6-7 at 8:30 p.m. and Aug. 8 at 4 p.m. Be ready for pop culture references and Dr. Seuss-inspired rhymes in this updated take on Moliere’s classic.
The second weekend, Aug. 13-15, features P.G. Wodehouse’s “Two Left Feet” and Edith Nesbit’s “The Town in the Library, the Library in the Town” followed by Bill Chessman’s “10-Minutes or Less Play Festival” Aug. 20-22. The series ends with Malcolm Cowler’s adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat,” W.W. Jacobs’ “The Monkey’s Paw” and Saki’s “The Open Window” Aug. 27-29. For more information, go to orsvp.org.
Sally Hogarty can be reached at sallyhogarty@gmail.com. Read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.
