SALEM COMMUNITY THEATRE What do you do with a really bad script? Make a great play

When it seems nothing's good, things start working.
SALEM -- Question! What do Love, Sex and the IRS have in common?? Well, aside from an interesting conversation, "Love, Sex & amp; the IRS" is the name of the new show that just opened this past weekend at the Salem Community Theatre. We can't tell you who wrote this piece of fluff since it isn't listed anywhere in the program. But then, that is understandable since very few would want to take credit for such abysmally bad play writing.
But wait!!
The bad writing is precisely what makes this particular production so good. Obviously, when director Craig Snay approached this project he had to figure out exactly how to cover a less than third rate script with enough action and humor to make it entertaining.
He has done just that.
He started with a strong cast. Kyle Snyder and Jack Eilber play Leslie Arthur and Jon Trachtman, respectively. Leslie and Jon are two guys who share a Manhattan apartment and in order to save them both money on their taxes, Jon has been passing Leslie off as his wife on his yearly tax returns. All well and good until that dreaded call comes from the IRS. Tax man, Floyd Spinner wants to come on over and meet the "little lady." The action begins.
Other characters
Eilber is in top form as Jon. With the plot of mistaken identities resembling a 50s TV sitcom, Eilber is constantly on the run trying to pull the wool over Spinner's eyes in one room while he is trying to placate an endless number of unexpected guests in the other. His portrayal is very consistent as he keeps the charade up right to the bitter end.
Meanwhile, Leslie, played by Snyder is much less enthused over the entire situation as he is forced to squeeze into a bra, dress and high heels. Snyder handles the role excellently as he jumps back and forth between the "two Leslies" while trying to cook a meal of something he has never heard of and doesn't even know what it is. This is a physically demanding role that has Snyder literally bouncing off every corner of the apartment. His energy and stamina are strong from beginning to end.
Wayne Morlock plays the stern and hard-nosed IRS agent, Floyd Spinner.
His business demeanor quickly melts, however, when he meets "wife Leslie," stating that "looks aren't everything" and that his wife is about equally as ugly. Morlock develops the character well and provides much of the humor.
Amanda Frost-Murphy has the role of Kate Dennis, Jon's fianc & eacute;, and does well with trying to play both ends against the middle with everybody else. Russell M. Dillon serves as a refreshing change of pace as he is in and out several times as landlord, Mr. Jensen. Jon's mother, Vivian, played by Cheryl Pierce arrives unannounced and adds even more chaos to an already overflowing pot. When you finally think all that can happen has happened in come Connie, Leslie's girlfriend, played by Amanda Stewart and Arnold Grunion, a rather crotchety Justice of the Peace played by Wayne Morris.
As mentioned earlier, Snay has done much with this production to raise it to a much higher level than what exists in the script. If you are looking for a good light evening of engaging entertainment that is reminiscent of some of the classic old TV sitcoms, pay the Salem Community Theatre a visit this weekend.