author: Leonard Taube
Feel like a laugh? Want to get away from it all for a bit? Got the urge to guffaw? If you answer yes to all those questions, consider taking a field trip to the Roosevelt Center in historic Greenbelt where The Greenbelt Arts Center is putting on an original play entitled No Laughing Matter by local playwright Jeff Dunne. But don’t let the title fool you. This show is all about laughter and believe me there are laughs aplenty from the opening scene till curtain call.
This play is one of over 175 scripts Jeff has written and, when GAC was looking for an original play to produce, this one was submitted and chosen. How lucky audiences are because this prescription is just what the doctor ordered. Not only is the show hilariously funny, but Jeff advised me that, while the show has been produced a few times in the past (& is going to be produced out-of-state later this year), this is the first time he’s directed this play. This is good news because, since he wrote the play, it frees him to be able to put on the show as he envisioned while developing the plot and characters at his typewriter. It’s the father getting to see his child grow up and grow up the way he wanted. You can almost hear the pride in his voice when talking to him about this production.
From the moment the lights go up you will find yourself caught up in a dizzying spy thriller comedy, where a recent Russian immigrant is believed to be an assassin sent here for a kill. Jeff Dunne also designed the set, which teeters between the inside of a New York diner and a park (yup, complete with a bench where connections are made as in all good spy thriller movies). The diner is very realistic, complete with a booth, tables with silverware and ketchup bottles, and a counter complete with coffee maker behind where two fresh pots of coffee are always on tap. The back kitchen is accessed by a swinging door and, while the audience does not get to see the kitchen, a lot of hilarious lines and sound effects emanate from there. Jeff also designed the sound (yup, this show is totally his baby) and there were no discernible issues.
Costume Designer Hilary Glass has outfitted the characters with realistic time-period appropriate clothing and Lighting Designer Wes Dennis makes sure that the space is lit well, and everything can be seen properly. Board Operator Colleen Dunne ensures that the tech works seamlessly, one of the most unsung jobs in a theatrical production. Stage Manager and Properties Designer Sam David provides the glue that keeps the cast together and ensures that the show goes on. Speaking of glue, one must give a special shout out to Ms. David for the special bowl of soup that one of the agents’ orders. She is very proud of her concoction so watch out for it!
The aforementioned Russian, Alexei Dmitry Konstantin Nikolay Sergei Stepanovich, whose strong accent is only matched by his strong ignorance of English expressions/figures of speech is played quite comically by John Mathews. Mathew’s Alexei is a big lovable guy who has an equally big heart. While the agents try to find something to nab him on, he is going through life with his pocket dictionary looking up words he does not understand but, once he “gets it”, oh my, the comedy flies. Mathews is fun to watch just for those golden moments, and his comedic timing is spot on.
Speaking of those agents, Special Agents Williams (Joseph Downs) and Humphrey (Gene Valendo) are like something you’d expect to see in one of those “Pink Panther” films. Down’s simple, bumbling mannerisms (he was once attacked by a duck and lost his firearm in the ensuing melee) are a perfect foil to straight (excuse the expression, as you will see as the plot unfolds) Valendo’s attempts to keep the mission on track. Whether he’s scolding Downs or losing it trying to hold on to finding clues that aren’t there, Valendo is a blustering balloon with a penchant for ordering strange food combinations and coming up with words that don’t exist that you can’t take your eyes off him except when it’s to watch Down’s reactions and facial expressions which are equally hysterical.
The two waitresses of the diner, Angel (played by Carly Brownstein) and Maggie (Dana Fleisher) are hardworking gals who help further the plot, each in their own special way. Brownstein is the waitress who has a “thing” for late Eagle’s frontman Glenn Frey. So much is her devotion that her character sings and speaks many of the Eagle’s songs lyrics throughout the show. Not much for waiting on customers, this take-no-prisoners waitress demands that one must earn her respect and trust before she will lift a finger to help but make no mistake, deep down she cares deeply about her boss and fellow waitress Maggie. Fleisher’s Maggie is a caring, working single mother and picks up where Angel drops off. She’s the one who will pour you a cup of coffee, make sure you have something to eat and will listen sympathetically. She and Alexei find themselves attracted to each other, and this makes for some good comedy and feelgood moments. Fleisher is a joy to watch on stage, as she truly knows how to make a connection between her character, the other characters and the audience.
How does that rhyme go? The dish ran away with the spoon. Or, as in the case of the diner’s owner (and cook), Richard Frillman (played by Sean Eustis), the ex-wife ran away with the busboy. Hardworking, and with a story that could make another entire play, Eustis plays the boss as a hardworking businessman always willing to help someone out. He is much beloved by his staff, and you can’t help but feel that this guy deserves more. Stay till the end and you’ll see what his dessert winds up being.
Every diner deserves one of “those guys”. You know, the loyal customer that comes in every day and sits on the stool, orders the same thing and is a regular who knows the staff so well that banters and exchanges are commonplace. Enter Alejandro Hernandez (played by Andrew Rappa). Rappa is ethnically and ethically unhinged, whether it’s his accent or fixation on Tara’s cleavage. Watch for his series of quick entrances/exits towards the end. Oh, and did I mention his allergies? A simple character that makes a name for himself quickly and is a joy to watch, Rippa is a breath of silliness in an already silly situation.
Brit (played by John Cholod) and Spy (played by Anne Hull) are only on stage a few times but make the most of it. Hull’s exchange of spy code phrases on the park bench at the beginning is classic spy stuff of movies gone by, and Cholod’s mustering and blustering (all with a British accent mind you) makes for some good comedy.
Did I mention cleavage? Just as when the devil, Mr. Applegate, feels he is losing his newly minted charge, Joe Hardy, and calls in seductress Lola to seduce and clinch the deal in the musical Damn Yankees, Special Agent Tara Butler (Jessie Duggan) is called in by the big boss McLaughlin (whom we never see but is referred to by name often) to work her magic on good natured Alexei. Duggan is all that and a big of chips when it comes to the task, but she soon realizes that Alexei is smitten with Maggie. What unfolds is too much plot to give away, but let’s just say that this vixen of an agent has a conscience and a heart, not to mention an overbearing mother who wants to see her dating. Duggan, while only seen in the second act, convincingly comes in as the gal who is there to clean things up, while she does have some comedic moments, is the most straight-laced character of them all and she handles all of this with aplomb.
With perfectly orchestrated comedic timing, a plot that will have you wondering and anticipating the end, and a cast of characters that will keep you smiling, this is a show that deserves to be experienced and craves to be performed. So, what are you waiting for? Go to the site, nab your tickets (there is only two weekends left!) and take a ride out to the Greenbelt Arts Center to take in this jewel of an original comedy. I’m serious! This is no laughing matter!
Run Time: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission
No Laughing Matter plays through March 8th 2025 at Greenbelt Arts Center— 123 Centerway in downtown Greenbelt, MD. For tickets call the box office at 301-441-8770 or purchase them online.
**Please note, the matinee on Sunday March 2nd 2025 is a “MASKS REQUIRED” matinee, wherein all patrons in attendance are required to wear masks for the duration of the event.
