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Youngstown playhouse Local playwright’s effort shines in ‘Last Laugh’
By Eric McCrea
Youngstown
Taking in new and locally written theater can be a bit of a gamble, but The Youngstown Playhouse’s world premiere of “Last Laugh” by B. Appugliese is a safe bet.
The story centers on long-retired comedy duo Bert Pressman and Hermie Wolleck (Terry Shears and David Jendre) as they prepare for a return to the spotlight. Over a few Manhattans, they debate their upcoming performance, their next move and their pasts as they try to find a place in the new millennium. It’s easy to see why the pair had a successful career together, but they’re far from angels.
The first act leaves a lot of open questions, which get answered when Bert’s daughter Rachel (Kathy Appugliese) enters the picture. The second act takes the show in a more maudlin direction, leading up to a very touching finish.
Strong, consistent writing and a cast with an accumulative century of stage experience combined to create an admirable production under the direction of John Cox.
As the keystone of the show, Jendre disappears into the role of Hermie. His well-tempered accent and perfect costume choices enhance his hilarious timing. His commitment is unwavering, and he has made Hermie into a character that any actor should add to their list of dream roles.
Shears is charming as the larger-than-life Bert. His bombastic style is undeniable and a perfect jumping off point for the punch line. He has great chemistry with Jendre whether they’re sitting on the same couch or separated by much more than walls.
Kathy Appugliese is sophisticated and spot-on. The role of Rachel is largely a vehicle to reveal some of the flaws of Bert, but she is counterbalanced with moments of sentiment and praise. Ms. Appugliese handles this weaving of flaws and compliments with ease, but the role feels somewhat utilitarian at times.
Appearing briefly is the classy Terri A. Wilkes as Bert’s bombshell ex-showgirl wife, Mary Jean. She lights up the room, even while being somber.
The humor in the show is an interesting fusion of classic stand-up with millennial shock and vulgarity. A few “senior moments” lead to some noticeable interruptions in the banter-driven show, but they didn’t affect the appeal of the play.
The Playhouse has made great use of the smaller Griffith-Adler venue, giving set designer Jim Lybarger a chance to showcase his talents in a new way, and “Last Laugh” is no exception. The set is inviting and detailed, without being cluttered in the arena layout.
“Last Laugh” runs in the Griffith-Adler Room of The Youngstown Playhouse at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. today and next Sunday. For reservations, call 330-788-8739.