North Shore Players' "Drop Dead!" was Laugh-Out-Loud Hilarious

That’s not part of the script!

North Shore Players brought “Drop Dead!,” a comedy written by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore, to the stage. It’s the night before opening night, and a group of washed-up actors are still meddling lines and cues. To make matters worse, a murderer stalks the backstage, killing off cast members one by one.

I haven’t laughed this hard in so long. Laughter, giggles, and snorting were rampant in the theater in response to North Shore Players' hilarious production of “Drop Dead!” Several rambunctious situations occur in this over-the-top show. You have to be on your toes at all times in the theater world, for missed cues or improvised real-life murder.

A team of superbly talented actors took the stage and delivered expert comedy skills. Comedy is tough to nail, and they made it look so easy. Most actors have two roles: Their prententious actor and their character in the play-within-a-play.

Victor Le Pewe (Steve Gemma) wants his creation to be a masterpiece. Gemma’s portrayal of a stressed director excels as his character is practically ripping his hair out in shreds, the more things go wrong, and the unnecessary blood that ruins the costumes.

It’s not easy when a room of egos fills the stage. Alison Neumann (Mona Monet/Bette), Ryan DeCarolis (Brent Reynolds/Alexander), and Christina Bontempa (Candy Apples/Penelope) play stars who believe they own the world. They each have hilarious moments, such as when DeCarolis tries to find his light for his character’s signature snow monologues.

It’s never a good thing when cues fall on deaf ears. Carolyn Junker was a riot as the spacey Constance Crawford/Lady Barrington. Constance’s lack of hearing messes up her entrances, or she repeats dialogue that’s not hers. The way Junker flops around on the couch or twirls around the stage had audiences laughing.

Chaz Looney is an amateur actor as the butler Drools, but played with sharp comedic timing by Richard White. His French accent was a delight. Dick Scorses (Travis Wallace) is called in as a last-minute replacement for Inspector Mounds and tries to keep things together. Wallace’s exasperated expressions are a highlight.

It’s not easy when producers or the playwright is involved with the show. P.G. Banks (Richard Griffiths) and Alabama Miller (Jason Smith) try to tort with the rehearsals to make it their vision.

You know who doesn’t get enough recognition? Stage managers. Michael Philbrick is a nervous wreck as he runs in circles as Philip, the play’s stage manager. He takes his job a little too seriously, but wants the director’s vision to come to life.

The Hogan Regional Center auditorium was decorated in a half-lavish/half-quickly drawn set to parallel the events. Characters run all over the stage, upstairs, and miss their mark for their spotlight. The dreaded musical chords when someone said ‘Murder’ was an iconic moment.

I had never heard of this show, and more theaters need to perform “Drop Dead!” The play is reminiscent of shows like “Noises Off.” The only difference is that nobody is a murderer.

Director Tori Knight excelled in the show’s comical nature. She said they focused on comedy the most in rehearsals, and it paid off. A lot of practice went into every scene. I don’t know how the actors didn’t break into laughter themselves.

“We have had a blast making this happen,” Knight said. “I have cackled out loud in almost every rehearsal watching this story come to life.”

The laughter attributed that. Laughter is so important right now. You never realize how many different kinds of laughter there are: belting, snorting, and the kind that’s been trapped for so long that you can’t stop.

North Shore Players' “Drop Dead!” was a comedy sensation. Actors took risks, audiences had the best time, and it defined theater.