STAGE REVIEW 'Communicating Doors' mixes farce with thriller

The curious blending of comical elements with suspense works perfectly.
By GARRY L. CLARK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- One might think it difficult to mix the genres of farcical comedy and murder mystery suspense, but British playwright Alan Ayckbourn did so perfectly with "Communicating Doors," which opened Thursday at the Spotlight Arena at Youngstown State University.
A superb cast gathered by the director, Dr. Dennis Henneman, captured the nuances of their characters, complete with fairly good English accents to weave together this tempestuous piece, which uses the science fiction element of time travel to tie it all together.
The story: Rachel Peteritis led the cast with a brilliant portrayal of Phoebe, a London prostitute circa 2021, who finds herself at a hotel enmeshed in the confessions of an old man concerning the deaths of his two wives at the hands of his business partner, who is still very much alive and intent upon keeping things, including Phoebe, quiet.
Ms. Peteritis' characterization was dead-on target as she effortlessly transformed from a bombastic dominatrix to a frightened, bewildered girl to an emboldened, courageous woman.
Phoebe finds herself hiding behind a peculiar connecting door that transports her back to 2001 and face to face with the old man's second wife, Ruella (Nicole Polombi).
It is the sensible Ruella who eventually begins to piece together the peculiar goings on and attempts to hit upon a plan to thwart the murder of Jessica (Alisa Mae), the first wife, as well as her own untimely demise at the hands of Julian (Chris Casanta).
Complicating the action is the fact that those using the special door can go only from their own time back 20 years, not forward.
Therefore, only Phoebe can face Julian in 2021, and only Ruella can try to convince Jessica in 1981 of what is happening to try to gain her assistance, if that is even possible.
Cast performances: The part of the old man, Reece, was excellently portrayed by Adam Thatcher, both as a young man in his twenties as well as his elderly version.
Ms. Polombi and Ms. Mae were well in their element also as the murdered wives.
Casanta was quite adequate, though his malevolence at times seemed more contrived than real.
Bruce Harrington gave a good performance as Harold, the security guard of the hotel where the action takes place.
Overall: The cleverly twisting action of time in the plot requires a bit of concentration on the part of the audience as it moves quickly back and forth, but the play is well worth the effort.
The comical scenes provide just the right amount of relief to the tautness of the danger faced by the three women.
Serving on the crew of this production are Gregory W. Clepper, J. Anthony Ferrello, Dawn Black, Rob Greaves, Danielle Lloyd, Christina Kopcsos and Matt Pettitt.