The Milwaukee Repertory Theater has extended its presentation of Steve Martin's "The Underpants" from Sunday to March 27.
Citywide scandal breaks out after Louise Maske's (Deborah Staples) underpants fall to her ankles at the King's parade. Louise tells Theo (Steve Pickering), her infuriated husband, that no one even noticed. However, several captivated eyes caught a glimpse and are now passionately intent on winning her.
In order to get near the beautiful Louise and her unmentionables, a chain of admirers inquire about the Maske's room for rent. Theo soon forgets the humility of the underpants fiasco as he rents one room to several intriguing men.
Comic genius Martin adapted "The Underpants" from original playwright Carl Sternheim. Martin adds his own voice and modern day humor to the script, while remaining true to the play's core.
The play has a unique blend of characters with extreme personalities and perfectly timed humor. The script is packed with sexual innuendos set off by props, movement and character interaction. The director, Risa Brainin, successfully transfers the hysterical script into a winning performance.
The Maske's nosey upstairs neighbor, Gertrude (Carole Healey), lives vicariously through Louise and the fortune of men that the underpants have attracted. Healey offsets the male dominated cast with her powerful stage presence and animated acting.
The Maske's primary renters, barber Benjamin Cohen (Ross Lehman) and poet Frank Versati (Dougfred Miller), contrast each other in almost every way from appearance to personality. However, both were at the parade and are now driven by their infatuation for Louise.
Versati, while young, passionate and attractive, is dislikable with his over the top poetic attempts and aristocratic attitude. Cohen, awkward and romantically unappealing, is the play's true comic relief even though the entire show is one comic farce.
The play and script would not have come to life without a talented and complimenting set of actors to fit each of the distinct characters. Theo and Louise are a winning couple, and the play's irony circulates around them.
Staples captures Louise's dreamy, romantic gazes and chaotic path, from the little wife to the desirable center of attention. Pickering succeeds in the overbearing, chauvinistic husband role. The audience will love to hate him with comments like, "I want to stop nagging you (Louise), but you won't let me."
The entire play takes place in the Maske apartment in 1910 Germany. The set has a cartoon-like vibe, with yellow couches, purple kitchen table chairs and blue walls. The scenic designer, Geoffrey M. Curley, created a space that looks like an actual apartment and not a set.
The sound designer, Lindsay Jones, and lighting designer, Michael Klaers, collaborated to create the scene transitions and atmosphere for Louise's different moods. The music comes on, lights flash and the characters move to show the passing of time. It is like the audience has a remote control and can fast-forward the scene.
Even Louise does not understand how her underpants just fell down. But that incident sets the play into motion and provides almost two hours of laughter.
Grade: A
Steve Martin's "The Underpants" will run through March 27 at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, located at 108 E. Wells St. More information is available by visiting www.milwaukeerep.com or by calling 224-9490.
This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Mar. 10 2005.