On stage at Peninsula Players Theatre, America’s oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County’s theatrical icon, August 18 through Sept. 5, is Alan Ayckbourn’s futuristic comedy, “Comic Potential.”
Time Magazine named “Comic Potential” “one of the 10 best plays of the past decade.”
In the foreseeable future, television actors are replaced with programmable robots, and Jacie, an android star, is slated for the scrap heap when a programming glitch is discovered. At very inopportune times in her soap drama “Hospital Hearts,” she develops a penchant for humor, of the slap-stick kind. When the writer kidnaps her to save her, adventures really begin!
Overseeing the direction of “Hospital Hearts” is Chandler Tate, an artistic genius who in his heyday directed sparkling film comedies. Now that his art form is too expensive, he finds himself at a large, soulless conglomerate, directing robotic actors in formula soap operas.
Carla Pepperbloom, the studio tyrant, brings Adam Trainsmith, the boss’s nephew and aspiring scriptwriter, to the set of “Hospital Hearts” to meet his directing idol, Tate, in hopes of learning the ropes of comedy.
Upon the discovery of Jacie’s comic talent, Adam and Tate begin comic lessons on the sly, in hopes of pitching a new show and bringing comedy back to the future.
Jacie interacts with people on the street, other actoids, waiters, studio technicians, hotel clerks and shop keepers. Does she have a glitch? Or is it something more? Is she becoming human? Does futuristic-boy-meets show-biz girl romance have comic potential? You bet!
Returning to the Players to play JC-F31-333, as the android is numbered on the assembly line, is Erica Elam who played Billie in the Players’ production of “Born Yesterday.” Elam’s recent credits include “Philadelphia Story” with Remy Bumppo and “The Trip to Bountiful” at the Goodman. She has performed with The Second City and is trained in comedic improv.
Sean Fortunato plays Adam Trainsmith, the aspiring script writer and Jacie’s love interest. Fortunato’s credits with the Players include “Is He Dead?,” “Cabaret,” “Doubt” and “A Little Night Music.” His regional credits include Drury Lane-Oakbrook’s “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” and “Curtains.”
Tim Monsion is Chandler Tate, who may get a second crack at comedic films.
Carmen Roman is cast as the number-crunching head of the TV studio. Roman’s recent Players’ credits include “Doubt,” “Be My Baby,” “Master Class” and “A Little Night Music.”
Players’ veterans Linda Fortunato, Neil Friedman, McKinley Carter, Karen Janes Woditsch, Kevin McKillip and Andrew Keltz round out the cast of “Comic Potential.”
Peter Amster returns to the Players to direct “Comic Potential” where he directed “Master Class,” the first production in the Players’ new home, as well as “Born Yesterday” and “A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine.” Peter has directed and choreographed productions for most of the Chicago area’s professional theaters and opera companies.
The Peninsula Players 75th Anniversary season is sponsored through the generosity and support of Baylake Bank, which has been the Players’ financial partner for more than 50 years. This season is also supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board, with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
“Comic Potential” will be on stage August 18 through September 5. Curtain times are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 7:30 pm, except the closing performance September 5 at 4 pm. Group and individual tickets are available. Individual ticket prices range from $29 to $36; there are no performances on Mondays. For more information or to reserve tickets phone the Peninsula Players’ box office at 920.868.3287 or visit the Website at www.peninsulaplayers.com.
Comments from “Comic Potential” director Peter Amster
Alan Ayckbourn has been called “the Neil Simon of England,” both for his comic genius and his amazing output (well over 50 plays. The two also share a gift for telling hilarious stories that have serious ideas tucked inside them.
“Comic Potential” is no exception. Set in the future, in a British TV studio where the actors are all robots (they're called “actoids”) the play ponders a very important question: what makes us human? Yes, we are “homo sapiens,” the creature that thinks, but scientific observation has shown that other creatures show signs of synthesizing intelligence.
We are “homo erectus,” the creature that walks upright on two legs, but again, that seems to be a dubious appellation; chimps can be taught to do the same. Perhaps, as Ayckbourn observes, it is that we are “homo ludens” that truly separates us from not only every other creature in the animal kingdom, but machines as well: we laugh. More importantly, we have senses of humor, we find things funny.
More Comments from “Comic Potential” director Peter Amster
“Comic Potential” follows the adventures of JC-F31-333, an actiod that, for no apparent reason or programming, finds things funny and begins to laugh.
It is the effect of this on the humans who surround her that sets the story in motion, creating a play that is alternatively moving, thought-provoking and hilarious. It is no wonder that John Simon, theater critic for New York magazine said “If you are going to see only one play in your lifetime, make it
this one.”
At the center of this remarkable play is a character whose transformation from machine to human is astonishing, hilarious and deeply moving. It requires an actress of great range, brilliant technical precision and comic genius, a tall order indeed.
So it was with great joy (and relief!) I discovered that Greg Vinkler, artistic director of Peninsula Players, had cast Erica Elam in the role. Audiences may remember her as Billie Dawn, the blonde bombshell who becomes a thinking citizen in “Born Yesterday.”
Working with Erica in that role was deeply satisfying. She brings intelligence, astonishing vocal and emotional range, and a fearless playfulness to the rehearsal process. And these are the very attributes necessary to bring JC-F31-333 to…well….to life.
More Comments from “Comic Potential” director Peter Amster
“Comic Potential” follows the adventures of JC-F31-333, an actiod that, for no apparent reason or programming, finds things funny and begins to laugh.
It is the effect of this on the humans who surround her that sets the story in motion, creating a play that is alternatively moving, thought-provoking and hilarious. It is no wonder that John Simon, theater critic for New York magazine said “If you are going to see only one play in your lifetime, make it
this one.”
At the center of this remarkable play is a character whose transformation from machine to human is astonishing, hilarious and deeply moving. It requires an actress of great range, brilliant technical precision and comic genius, a tall order indeed.
So it was with great joy (and relief!) I discovered that Greg Vinkler, artistic director of Peninsula Players, had cast Erica Elam in the role. Audiences may remember her as Billie Dawn, the blonde bombshell who becomes a thinking citizen in “Born Yesterday.”
Working with Erica in that role was deeply satisfying. She brings intelligence, astonishing vocal and emotional range, and a fearless playfulness to the rehearsal process. And these are the very attributes necessary to bring JC-F31-333 to…well….to life.