If a head-spinning French farce is your thing, make a beaten bath to The Group Rep’s production of Georges Feydeau and Maurice Desvallieres’ “Hotel Paradiso” at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in the NoHo Arts District running through August 11.
At the Hotel Paradiso nothing is what it seems, and when the police crack down one evening only the truth is left to be revealed.
If it is secret trysts and slamming doors you want you have come to the right place.
Everything here is larger than life, surreal and absurd. The dialogue leads the actors and us the audience into corners and rectangles only it can rescue us from.
Moments are heightened and the reason behind the reason for the play is somehow more intense and comedic in nature.
For it is comedy that is the most difficult and risky to undertake, and this exercise is a success exactly because it tackles the yearning for laughter in a light but serious manner.
Feydeau and Desvallieres live again almost 120 years after they first penned the play through the transparent translation of Peter Glenville, who underscores each highlight and foible with equal candor, the bold strokes of director Drina Durazo and the colorful brush strokes of a gifted cast and crew.
Durazo instinctively understands the piece and gets what she needs from her actors. She gallops into the future the better, brighter and more brilliant for having helmed this production.
Standouts include Suzy London (Angelique Boniface) who is convincing, funny and perfectly cast.
Doug Haverty (Martin/ Duke) gives a memorable portrayal of such sensitivity, grace and rhythm that it is nothing less than significant.
Robert Gallo (Anniello) hits the spot once more, as he seemingly always does, in a performance ripe with wit, passion and great humor. His is an actor’s commitment wrapped-up in an artist’s perfection.
But it is Van Boudreaux (Benedict Boniface) who runs away with the show. He makes this farce more human, intimate and warm without losing any of the characteristics of the genre. The Louisiana native is powerful and strong without losing an ounce of charm or humor. Indeed, if there has been a better performance on the stages of North Hollywood or Los Angeles so far this year, this critic has not seen it.
Jazmin Lopez’ lighting design and scenic artistry, Christian Ackerman’s sound design and Emily Doyle’s costume design add to the play.
Overall, “Hotel Paradiso” gives a human feel to an art form long considered short on just that. It fuels the laugh engine while oiling the soul in a way only a repertory company on the order of The Group Rep seems capable of doing without damaging the senses or stealing the thunder from the playwrights.
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sunday Matinees at 2 p.m. Talk-back Sundays: July 14 & July 28 after the show.Admission: $22. Seniors/Students: $17. Groups 10+:$15.Ladies Night Fridays: Ladies Half Price. Tickets/Information:(818) 763-5990.Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10990 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601.
