(OUTview NW) RE-view: SOUND Theater's Amazing "Ensemble" Season continues with the Sensational 'One Man and Two Guvnors'!

(Ken Holmes)

by MK Scott

When I attended the opening night performance of Sound Theater's production of One Man and Two Guvnors by Richard Bean, it felt oddly familiar and I knew of the story and then it hit me that this was an adaptation of a play staged by Seattle Rep in 2013 called a Servant of Two Masters, an Italian play that was written in 1753 by Carlo Goldoni.

For Two Guvs (written in 2011) the play is updated to 1963 England with contemporary Songs added that each cast member takes turns performing.

Compared to Two Masters, that featured so much Improv, that got a little too much as I wrote in 2013:

Truffadino is more like the Aladden's Genie with the modern references and slapstick Inprov. By Act 2, the constant Improv, which in the theater, can be misunderstood as Ad-libbing. Sometimes it went on for too long. 

(Ken Holmes)

Now for Two Guvs, it is much more organized and crisper and when they interact with the audience it becomes natural and not forced or overdone. David Roby is a gem as he stays in character of Francis (originally called Truffadino) hungry servant for Two Guvnors, Stanley (Luke Sayler) and Roscoe (Kayla Teel). Only the audience as well as the FAB Laura Steele as Lloyd know that Roscoe is really his twin sister, Rachel. The Real Roscoe was murdered by Francis' other Guvnor, Stanley.

To make matters worse the flamboyant, Alan Dangle (the sensational, Daniel Stoltenberg) is 'in love' with BFF, Pauline (Christine Riippi), whose Father (John Clark) has her betrothed to Roscoe (Teel).

Other highlights are the hysterical Sierra Kagan as Harry and Henry James Walker as the accident prone servant Alfie.

Sound Theater should really change its name to Sound Ensemble Theater as has once again assembled a great cast and perfect production of this re-invented old tale.

 Sound Theater's  'One Man and Two Guvnors' continues through August 27th at the Armory Theater at Seattle Center. Click HERE for Tix and info.