Recession-busting laughs on the menu
“Don’t Dress for Dinner”: Recession-busting laughs on the menu
The good times are back at the Royal George Theatre. Just as they appear to be collapsing everywhere else.
I wouldn’t claim that the terrific new commercial production of the Marc Camoletti farce “Don’t Dress for Dinner” qualifies as an economic stimulus package, unless you happen to own a restaurant near North and Halsted Streets. And if you demand redeeming social purpose for your theatergoing dollar, look elsewhere, for this cheerfully retro, happily un-p.c. attraction has none whatsoever.
But this new high-quality show—which features TV names and tip-top Broadway talents–is most definitely a stimulus for the funny bone. To say it tickles that much-neglected, much-necessary, semi-mythical, recession-challenged appendage is not to do the show justice. It gives it a series of rib-rousting scratches. All night long.
Better yet, you do not have to suspend your intelligence. The late Camoletti—who also wrote “Boeing Boeing,” revived last season on Broadway to critical acclaim—wrote classy parodies of upper-middle-class lies and deceits that were really closer to Alan Ayckbourn than Ray Cooney, the cheaper, trouser-dropping farceur whose works are better known in Chicago.
Fame finds Jeffrey Donovan
Nov 14, 2008 Interview, Theater
The star of USA Network’s popular Miami-set series Burn Notice, about “burned” secret agent Michael Westen, Jeffrey Donovan has left sunny Florida for a wintry Chicago run of the play Don’t Dress for Dinner. Meanwhile, he’s starring opposite Angelina Jolie in Changeling. We sat down with him at the Royal George Theatre.
You’ve said, “I don’t want to be Magnum P.I. I don’t want them saying, ‘Hey, Michael Westen!’” So is this French farce an effort not to be seen as just Magnum P.I.?
Jeffrey Donovan: Somewhat. It’s more specific to me wanting to just be back on stage. I worked on Broadway and Off Broadway for ten years. The excitement I feel on stage has never been similar in TV and film.
What’s specific about the stage?
Jeffrey Donovan: You get something back. You feel it. I did Changeling for three months before six months of Burn Notice—you don’t get anything back. And this farce: I know there’s going to be laughter—hopefully—and that immediate energy refuels you so you can go back in front of a camera for nine more months.
Donovan Stars in Don’t Dress for Dinner
Nov 14, 2008 Theater
Producers in Chicago are hoping that lightning will strike twice, commercially speaking, with the revival of a sex farce by Marc Camelotti. His Boeing-Boeing is a London and Broadway hit, and on Nov. 14 his Don’t Dress for Dinner makes its Chicago debut.
The star-spiked cast, under the direction of John Tillinger, includes Patricia Kalember, of TV’s “Sisters” and “thirtysomething,” plus Jeffrey Donovan (of USA Network’s “Burn Notice” and the Clint Eastwood film, “Changeling”), Broadway and screen actor Mark Harelik, Urinetown veteran Spencer Kayden, Jamie Morgan and Chris Sullivan.
Performances continue to Jan. 11, 2009, at the Royal George Theatre Main Stage, 1641 N. Halsted Street. Opening night is Nov. 23.
Don’t Dress for Dinner is presented by the British Stage Company, LLC.
