Vic offers light-hearted ‘Sandbag’

February 16, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

By Eric McCrea

Youngstown

If you missed the Victorian Players’ production of “Hello, Dolly!” don’t worry. Apparently, it ended tragically. In fact, the actor playing Dolly Levi was killed by a falling sandbag.

Which takes us to the Vic’s most recent production, “Sandbag, Stage Left,” or “One Dead Dolly.” This courtroom farce is the trial of Arnold Meddle, played by Carl Brockway, who is accused of offing his wife while she sang “So Long, Dearie.”

Meddle is defended by Atty. Static, played by Glenn Stevens, and prosecuted by Atty. Cling, played by Regina Olszewski Reynolds. Judge Roy L. Been (Andy Bresko) does his best to keep the courtroom behaving professionally, but despite the help of his bailiff (Michael Brady) even the swearing-in of witnesses doesn’t go smoothly. Since the judge dismissed the entire jury for signing book deals, he asks a few members of the audience to help out.

The rest of the cast is made up of a fine ensemble of witnesses, all distinct caricatures of theater folks, a medical examiner, an assistant mortician, a couple guards, a jilted wife and an “elderly” mother. A good farce includes a lot of silliness, groaners, puns and running gags, and “Sandbag” has all of those in spades.

Stevens and Reynolds have great chemistry on stage, often squabbling like a brother and sister. Bresko is quite honorable, but just a bit gavel-heavy.

C. Richard Haldi, who plays Byron Shelley, delivers a great performance as a philandering veteran actor, who was engaged in a flirtation with the sandbag victim. Stephanie Sarrach and Brandi Hughes are hilarious as not-so-bright stage manager Gretel Van Cistern and actress Ginger Rayle.

Tom Hathhorn as beloved yet memory-challenged guard Gus Swenson gives the audience the most physically entertaining spectacle. Glenda Young as Harriet Meddle, the mother of the defendant, stands out long before she takes the stand, but in the witness chair, she explodes with slap-stickiness.

Patricia Fagan as Penelope Pacemaker gives the funniest performance of the night, partly because she has some of the funniest lines, but she also delivers an experienced and nuanced portrayal of a theater manager.

If you’re expecting powerhouse dramatic acting and a story with a deep meaning, this is not the show for you. “Sandbag” is 100 percent light-hearted guilty pleasure.

Throughout the play, local references are tied in to add comedic effect, with a couple of topical comments thrown in for good measure.

The audience also is pulled in to the experience by being referred to and by participating in the jury. At the end of the trial, the “jury” renders a verdict, which decides the ending of the play.

Director Marlene Mendaldi Strollo has amassed a great cast, and her use of physical gags, musical tracks and costuming make this show a complete and entertaining package.

“Sandbag, Stage Left” runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. until March 2. For reservations, call 330-746-5455.