Humorous new play, 'On the Razzle' dazzles audiences

DVC’s first play of the season, “On the Razzle,” makes for a light-hearted, good time.

Filled with mistaken identity and sexual innuendo, the farce features punch line after punch line, wordplay galore and jokes followed by goofy horn tones and drum rolls.

Written by Tom Stoppard, “On the Razzle” is adapted from a Viennese play, “Einen Jux Will Er Sich Machen,” by Johann Nestroy. Set in the 1890s it is the story of Zangler, a middle-class shop owner in Germany, who plans to propose to his girlfriend Madame Knorr in Vienna.

Just before his big adventure, Zangler (played by Michael Greer) gets a fancy, tailored outfit and hires Melchoir, (Phil Correa) as his a personal assistant.

Meanwhile, his sweet and innocent niece Marie (Shannon Kindorf), is madly in love with Sonders (Dan Newell), someone Zangler considers a “Don Juan.” He forbids their love and plans to send Marie to his sister-in-law in Vienna during his stay there.

Zangler leaves his shop to be run by head clerk Weinberl (Jared Heifetz) and apprentice Christopher (Parker Nevin), who just happen to have plans for their own “razzle” in Vienna.

Naturally, everyone winds up in Vienna, where mistaken identities run rampant and chaos leads to a happy ending.

The 31-member cast delivers the slap-stick dialogue with impeccable timing and enthusiasm. The costumes are loud and funky, with lots of bright colors and plaids, and the makeup is expertly applied, making the young actors appear much older.

At the Friday performance, the audience especially loved the humor when Gertrud (Megan Adele Howe), Zangler’s elderly employee at the shop, and the horny coachman (Andrew Banks) appeared onstage.

Directed by Nicole Hess Diestler, “On the Razzle” continues through Jan. 14 in the Performing Arts Center. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $8-$15.

For more information, call the box office at 925-687-4445.
 

Contact Julie George at jgeorge@theinquireronline.com