“Man is the only creature capable of laughter.” Anton Chekhov. For the first time in their twenty five year history, the Phoenix Players are presenting a Neil Simon comedy, “The Good Doctor.”
Nevertheless, Director Ben Fabrizi remains true to the troupe’s intellectual roots by offering a project based on the classic novelist Anton Chekhov. Whether it’s Neil Simon’s magical reputation or the group’s increased positive exposure, extra seats were required for the opening night performance.
The author, hunched over his writing desk located upstage right, interrupts his train of thought to provide friendly advice to the audience. Charlie Coniglio as Chekhov is an integral connection for most of the comical and sometimes poignant skits. He is wonderfully ironic, sincerely trying to teach life lessons but ultimately becoming the fool in his own manipulations.
Producer Anna Wolf has provided very capable players to bring the vignettes to the stage. There’s a harried bureaucrat (Ethan Aronoff) whose careless sneeze creates chaos. A cruel employer (Kate Maclauchlan) torments a guileless governess (April Uhl). Lovely Emma Peele portrays a victim of Chekhov’s calculated advances with very funny results. A poignant unplanned rendezvous between two elderly people (Frank Freeman, Emily Garrick) is truly haunting.
As a youthful alter ego for Simon and Chekhov, a naive William Longerbeam brings laughter and charm to his roles. My personal favorite, full of slapstick and out of the box humor, is the flailing swimmer (Ethan Aronoff) who performs sustained aquatic submersions for a haggled fee. The troupe performs at the Landmark Poppenhusen Institute at 114-04 14th Road in College Point. This current comedic vehicle is a great opportunity to join the growing fan base for the Phoenix Players.
Call 516-678-0016 or surf to ephoenix@msn.com for tickets. Their next show will surely be intense and intelligent. As always, save me a seat on the aisle.
