As the ads say, “in the horse and buggy days,” the first play I ever saw in high school was The Curious Savage. Now keep the image of a bunch of teenagers playing oldsters in your head while I regale you with a synopsis of the enormously funny story of a woman committed to the loony bin by her jealous relatives, only to have it proven that the true crazies were, indeed, the family who committed her.
Now, luckily for us, this enduring comedy is getting a sterling production at the venerable Group Rep, which has always been noted for its solid acting and production values. Veteran director Doug Engalla has pulled together a wonderfully quirky cast of characters, beginning with the “inmates,” lovable Hannibal (Patrick Anthony); Florence (Maria Kress), whose “son” is a doll; Fairy Mae (Jessica Kent), whose name says it all; Mrs. Paddy (Julie Davis), who wants to wreak vengeance upon everyone; and lastly, Jeffrey (Christopher Landis), suffering PTSD from the Second World War. Attending them, the staff includes the unflappable Miss Wilhemina (Amy Shaughnessy) who can keep a secret; and the no-nonsense Doctor Emmett (Lloyd Pedersen).
When Ethel Savage (Sara Shearer) is admitted as a patient, the group coalesces around her against her step-children; Senator Titus Savage (Lee Grober on the day I saw it), Judge Samuel Savage (Steve Young), and their sister, Lily Belle (Kathleen Taylor), who sobs “I can’t be poor. I don’t know how!” What ensues is a combination who-dun-it, who-took-it, as well as “which group is really the crazy one”?
All of this plays out against Group Rep’s serviceable two-tier living room setting, designed by Marili Mitchell Shields, lighting by Nick Foran, and sound from Brent Beerman; with the cast sporting Shon Le Blanc’s smashing 50s costuming. I was particularly impressed by the subtleties of director Engalla’s staging as he maneuvered his large cast through plenty of slap-stick without a single collision. Take the time now to see this rollicking, heart-warming, chestnut of a comedy!
The Curious Savage continues at the Group Rep’s Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, 91601, running Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm through February 23rd, 2025. All Tickets, $36, with student and Sr. tickets at $30. A special rate for groups of ten or more, also available. For information, and tickets call (818) 763-5990 or online: www.thegrouprep.com.
