Laughing Stock Extra

By: Donna Maddamma

July 11, 2008

There is magic in the theater and the theater is magic. So goes the beginning of a saying that the Runway Theater actors and crew say together as they join hands in a circle before each show. This saying is truer than most people realize. The "magic" is the driving force behind what makes comedic plays so very funny. But is that all there is? Sure, authors write funny plays and those funny plays are staged and audiences react to the spoken word or action. But what about the comedy you don't get to see? Actors and crew get a different take on things - laughing about what should have happened versus what actually happened. So many things can go wrong during a production in live theater that you just have to shake your head and laugh. Laugh at the problem, laugh at yourself, and mostly laugh with each other.

Laughing Stock, by Charles Morey, is a perfect example of this type of hilarity. It is community theater at it’s best, at it’s worst and definitely at it’s funniest. You will take a ride with a New England theater company as they struggle through personal conflicts, equipment malfunctions, and attitude adjustments during a summer season of theater in a barn. If you’ve never understood the reason that so many people will give up so much of their time for no pay just to put on a play, you will by the time you leave Laughing Stock.

Plays that flop are the evil twin of community theater, and the company of Laughing Stock deals with their share. Your sides are sure to split as the company makes an awful attempt to produce a dramatic rendition of Dracul, Prince of the Undead. Their brilliant performance in Hamlet is overshadowed by the comical and dramatic happenings that are the backstage of any theater company.

From the director to the stage crew to the actors, the mismatch of personalities and abilities will have you laughing out loud. You won’t want to miss Laughing Stock! Come and enjoy an amazing and very funny show and see if you can figure out real mistakes versus ones the actors are supposed to make!After all, it is live theater!

Laughing Stock is now playing July 11th through July 27th. You may purchase tickets online or by calling 817-488-4842. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8:00PM with doors opening at 7:00PM, and Sunday matinee begins at 3:00PM, doors open at 2:00PM.

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