After 21 years at their Summit Ave location on Capitol Hill, Theater Schmeater is relocating. They’re leaving their old grounds with the farcical Game Show, a satiric spoof on the popular television quiz shows of the late 20th century.
Half the fun here is in the set up. The cast is really able to capture the excitement of a live television broadcast and has us all believing we may have a chance to win some fabulous prizes! Thomas Maier is particularly effective as the “Warm-up Man”, prepping the audience for the all the thrills that are sure to come being in on a real live television show.
An interesting effect for me was the innate desire I had to watch the T.V. monitors presenting the action rather than simply look up at the stage right in front of me to watch the actors. I suppose it is some kind of comment on how so much of my life is spent starring at screens.
The press release describes the show as a mixture of old time television game shows with the bitter backstage struggles of an Aron Sorkin series, but if you’re expecting the high flying word play of Social Network or West Wing you may be disappointed. Playwright Jeffrey Finn and Bob Walton have put together a clever story line, with a twisting plot sprouting up in the commercial breaks of the quiz show, but the dialogue leans more toward a steamy afternoon soap than a Sorkin production. Which is not to say that the show is not a lot of fun. Director Steve Cooper keeps up a lively, entertaining pace. I particularly enjoyed the ingenious explanation for why the proceedings needed to halt for an old fashioned intermission.
Brandon Felker, a Theater Schmeater regular, plays “Your Host” Troy Richards and captures the requisite good-natured smarm required of the part. Ben McFadden is a kick as a starry eyed Production Assistant, so thankful to be part of a real, live T.V. game show. The opening night audience seemed to have a ball with a good portion of us having some real stage time; and many did indeed walk away with some snazzy prizes!
Game Show plays Friday and Saturday nights at Theater Schmeater. Also featuring Danielle Daggerty, Buddy Mahoney, Ben Burris and Stephani Thompson. Lighting by Dave Baldwin; Sound Laura Ulmer; Costumes by Rebecca Hines. OnlineSales/Reservations: www.brownpaperticks.com