‘The Play That Goes Wrong‘ Leaves Audiences Roaring with Side-Splitting Laughter at the La Mirada Theatre.
(Rt. to Lt.) Mary Faber, Trent Mills, Regina Fernandez, John Sanders and Sterling Sulieman star in the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts/McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’, directed by Eric Petersen and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment, together with the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, announce full casting for their upcoming uproarious comedy hit, ‘The Play That Goes Wrong‘, written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, with direction by Eric Petersen.
Let me start by saying that I need to watch this show again. I laughed so hard the first time, I missed jokes! The technical brilliance on display in this production is mind-blowing. The set itself is a character within the show, with a combination of pulleys, motors, and magnets working in perfect harmony with the performers. The way the tech crew seamlessly executes stunts and props is a marvel in itself, as it is all synchronized through various sound cues delivered by the actors. It’s an incredible example of how well comedy and technical elements can align to amplify the hilarity of a play about a serious murder mystery where everything goes completely awry.
Mary Faber and Reggie De Leon star in the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts/McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’, directed by Eric Petersen and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
As for the performers—Dear Lord! The talent on that stage is extraordinary. It’s a hard confession, but I have to say that ‘The Play That Goes Wrong‘ may just be better than ‘Clue‘. I never thought I’d say that, but there it is. The physical and comedic timing, the sheer energy and commitment to the chaos that ensues—this is a masterclass in comedy.
The premise is simple: The Cornley Drama Society is putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does. The accident-prone thespians (who are playing actors playing characters) battle against all odds to make it through their final curtain call, and the results are nothing short of hilarious.
I can’t give away any specifics or character spoilers, because no description can do the performances justice, but trust me when I say this—Regina Fernandez’s comedic and physical timing is unmatched. Watching her navigate her “understudy” battle with Mary Faber, through all the turmoil that comes from vying for center stage, was beyond incredible. Garrett Clayton, in a duel role, brings both childlike whimsy and a struggle with anxiety to his characters in a way that is so endearing yet hilarious. Trent Mills, with his physical strength alone, must be given a standing ovation for how he plays it straight while keeping the set from falling apart.
John Sanders’ welcoming the audience to the performance and a “fencing faux pas” that nearly ended future generations of Sanders had the audience in stitches. Sterling Sulieman’s physical storytelling would have rivaled any silent film actor, and the fact that he doesn’t utter a single line until the second act only makes his performance all the more impressive. Reggie De Leon’s bumbling made it seem as though he was cast as a favor to his uncle, the producer, which added yet another layer of luminosity. Michael-Leon Wooley, as the indifferent stage manager, perfectly encapsulated someone who was only worried about retrieving his CD box set and collecting a paycheck. Each character brings something utterly unique to the stage, and if I went into specifics about their performances, I’d just be scratching the surface.
And let’s not forget the Design Team, who took their well-deserved bow at the end of the performance as without them none of this would have been possible. They played a huge role in bringing the whole production to life: Scenic Design by Czerton Lim for Lincoln Park, PAC; Lighting Design by Steven Young; Sound Design by Josh Bessom; Costume Design by Adam Ramirez; Hair/Wig Design by Katie McCoy Yagen; Pyrotechnic Design by Eric Elias; Fight Coordination by Michael Polak; Properties Coordination by Kevin Williams. The casting director is Lindsay Brooks, and the Production Stage Manager is Talia Krispel.
‘The Play That Goes Wrong‘ runs now through Sunday, February 16, 2025, at La Mirada Theatre.
To purchase tickets for ‘The Play That Goes Wrong‘ visit: https://lamiradatheatre.com/ or call the Box Office at: (714) 994-6310 or (562) 944-9801.
La Mirada Theatre is located at:
14900 La Mirada Blvd.
La Mirada, CA 90638
Summary
‘The Play That Goes Wrong‘ is comedic and technical genius at its finest.
