Tony Piazza has developed a sterling reputation for helping mold young aspirants into skilled stage performers.
The upcoming performance of “Wynn Fairly, Champeen Rassler!” or “Get A Grip On Yourself” proves that there are a number of fledgling thespians more than capable of commanding center stage.
The Allen County Community College Summer Theater in the Park performance runs free of charge tonight and Saturday in Riverside Park. The only thing playgoers need to bring is lawn seating.
As with previous ACCC melodramas, “Wynn Fairly” will bring a chorus of cheers for the good guys and cascading boos for their adversaries.
In this case, Drew Smith and Trilby Bannister are the play’s hero and heroine. Smith is Wynn Fairly, a popular local wrestler who has eyes on a state title and, as it soon becomes evident, the lovely young Bannister as Doe Ramey, a jingle singer for an all-girl radio station.
Their love is instantaneous and Wynn and Doe make plans to marry, just as soon as he wins the state title and its $10,000, enough to support his new bride.
Of course, someone has other plans.
This melodrama’s dose of evil comes from the delightfully fiendish Halie Luken as Tara Bonaparte, manager of the equally nasty (albeit slightly less conniving) Rowdy Ruthless, portrayed by Dustin McCullough. Bonaparte has her eyes on the prize money as well. She will stop at nothing to ensure Rowdy wins the state crown. Even if he doesn’t, Bonaparte has plans on stealing the money, anyway, before scrambling out of town.
Will Bonaparte get away with her devious plot? Will Wynn Fairly and Doe Ramey find a future together?
Answers to both will be revealed tonight and Saturday at 7:30.
The ensemble cast features familiar stage performers with a talented crop of newcomers.
Bannister sparkles as the captivating and melodic Doe Ramey. She has a jingle for seemingly every occasion, usually featuring a chuckle-inducing pun. She also has an uncanny ability to apply lipstick while wearing a paper bag over her head.
Likewise, Smith shines as the strapping young Wynn, strong as an ox with a heart of gold, particularly for his newfound love.
The audience will enjoy jeering the evil-doers.
Luken is brilliant as the manipulative Bonaparte, seemingly always one step ahead of the posse, while McCullough as Rowdy Ruthless will keep the audience in stitches as he resorts to any means to win his wrestling matches.
THE SUPPORTING cast is worthy of high praise as well.
Maggie Terhune is a gas as the enchanting — but foul-meaning — Evileen Ruthless, Rowdy’s sister. It’s her job to quickly win the hearts of her brother’s upcoming opponents in order to distract and defeat them. Of course, it’s not as easy to woo an already smitten Wynn Fairly.
Krista Nelson shines as Rhoda Rooter, an admittedly biased radio sports commentator, Molly McEwan keeps the audience in stitches as the gossiping Eve Dropper, and Addie Haar is advice columnist Linda Neer. All work with Doe at a local radio station owned by Hedda Fuller-Eyre, portrayed with aplomb by Katie Terhune. Each takes turns eliciting appropriate doses of laughter — and groans.
Tossing in several moments of comic relief is Madison Luken as Bertha De Blooze, a persistently lovesick caller to Linda Neer’s radio show.
Mack Melvin is Jim Locker, owner of Jim’s Gym, site of the exciting title wrestling match. Olivia Bannister is Belle Boynker, the aptly named bell ringer and Megan Smith is Squinty Peepers, a Mr. McGoo-like referee. All take advantage of their time on stage.
Clarie Moran provides side-splitting deadpan delivery as Morticia Ripley, a local undertaker. Also on stage all too briefly are Brittany Porter as Mayor Mae Bea Knott and Courtney Smith as local banker Wanda Kashit, planners of the epic wrestling match, and Aaron Terhune, as one of Wynn Fairly’s early wrestling foes and as a police detective.
BEHIND the scenes efforts of Piazza, stage manager Sarah Gonzales and set director Cliff Harris deserve a rousing round of applause as well. Nancy McEndree once again created many of the costumes set in the roaring 20s, while Alex Piazza helped create the music for the multitude of radio jingles.
Their efforts are never more evident than in one memorable scene midway through the production in which all 16 actors are on stage as part of a rapid-fire montage of conversations that have nothing to do with each other, but still tie together neatly.
“Wynn Fairly” is sponsored by the Sleeper Family Trust.
