Can you hear it? That finely tuned purr? It's not the sound of a Rolls-Royce or Jaguar in the garage—but instead that other pinnacle of British engineering, Michael Frayn's classic farce Noises Off, now running at Steppenwolf Theatre through November 3.
Helmed by former artistic director Anna Shapiro in a joint production with L.A.'s Geffen Playhouse, this oft-performed comedy may at first seem an odd match for Steppenwolf, which typically likes its humor dark. But this combined Chicago / L.A. troupe knows how to handle each pratfall, each door slam, and each ubiquitous plate of sardines to deliver the inspired silliness that has delighted audiences since the show's 1982 London debut.
If you're new to Noises Off, here's the short version: the play is about a hapless touring theater company, which is itself staging a play-within-the-play, a low-rent sex farce called Nothing On. And, over the course of the three acts (of Noises Off), we watch the first act of Nothing On three successive times: first a jinxed dress rehearsal, then a (literal) back-stage view about a week into the run, and finally a beleaguered performance near the end of the tour. Confusing? Yes. But, on stage, it all makes preposterous sense.
The play's appeal lies in its unique structure, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into theatrical chaos and healthy doses of physical comedy, intricate timing and clever writing. The show's layered humor never simply delivers a laugh - instead it tops each one, and frequently tops that second laugh as well.
And this collection of pros knows where to find each one of those laughs. All are excellent, some are near perfect. As tipsy trouper Selsdon Mowbray, Steppenwolf stalwart Francis Guinan's can grab a laugh simply by standing still. And Andrew Leeds' (a current Groundlings main cast member) increasing panic as the show-within-a-show runs off the rails is a thing of comic beauty.
The production values are the show are equal to the performances: costumes by Izumi Inaba and and scenic design by Todd Rosenthal are are tip-top. But I think real credit must go to director Shapiro, who organizes sheer chaos with complete precision - if such a thing is possible. And that may be the chief delight of the production - it takes some careful planning and preparation to deliver a show this frantic.
Noises Off plays through November 3 at Steppenwolf Theatre (1650 N. Halsted St.). The performance runs 2 hours and 40 minutes, with two intermissions. Tickets ($20-$148) are available at www.steppenwolf.org.
For more information on this and other plays, see theatreinchicago.com.
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