The Ramona Hillside Playhouse has produced another winner in their production of “Leading Ladies.”
If belly laughs could help lose weight, this effort is a guaranteed loss of 50 pounds. Young director Sarah Gibbon has managed to bring together the most unlikely group of characters from straight, bi-sexual and LGBTQ in the most delightful farce you are likely to see in a season. Set in York, Pennsylvania, circa 1958 you know from the beginning it is going to be somewhat hokey – and it is, in a nice way.
Two broken down Shakespearean actors, Leo (Joshua Somers) and Jack (Adam Fagaly), happen on to a newspaper notice that an old lady, worth millions, is soon to be facing her maker. She has (they assume) two nephews named Max and Steve, that she hasn’t seen since they were young boys. A niece, Meg, lives with her. The three are due to inherit a million dollars each when she boards the plane that will take her to her heavenly future.
When the two pretenders arrive on the scene, the doctor who has now declared her deceased is shocked to find out that when she hears the good news that Max and Steve have been located and will arrive, she is suddenly very much alive.
Upon their arrival they quickly discover that the two are really females whose names are Maxine and Stephanie. Being actors with tremendous ingenuity they just as rapidly become Maxine and Stephanie. Their drag is hilarious. Through the fast paced two acts, the two bounce back and forth between Leo and Jack, and Maxine and Stephanie, claiming to be friends of the two sisters.
Meg (Gisel Murillo) is engaged to Duncan, a Black preacher (J. Kay Weldon) who, from the onset believes the two are intruders and is determined to have them exposed and put away, so he can marry Meg and share the $3,000,000 inheritance when the old lady, Florence (Cheri Gilbert) kicks the bucket.
The day before the wedding, two “new” nephews arrive to claim their millions. Duncan calls the Chief of Police to arrest the two already there. Gunshots are heard. The newbies are actually crooks who die in a gun battle with the cops. Duncan is dismayed. However, when he marries Meg he will still share $1,000,000 with her (or so he thinks). His only hope for riches disappears when Meg decides she will not marry him because she is love with Leo.
Audrey and Jack are in Love. Florence was onto the pair from the beginning but she took a liking to them and all was forgiven.
Farce, though it may be, it is a must see for anyone who enjoys live theater. I laughed so hard I almost pee’d my pants.
The cast was brilliant as was the set designs, construction, props, costumes, lights and sound.
Sarah Gibbons looks like a teenager but has 7 years of comedy sports/improve know-how and has been part of Pseudo Random Noise a regional improv troupe in Temecula.
There were no bad actors in this production. However, Florence (the dying millionairess) steals every scene she is in.
She is a natural and never fails to bring something new to every scene.
Go see the play!
Rusty Strait | Senior Reporter
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