Ripcord now at the Mendocino Theatre Company

“You’re gonna like this, Abby! It’s just like life! You get shoved out into nothingness, and then it’s a long, terrifying free fall to certain death! That is why you gotta pull the ripcord, baby! Slow yourself down and look around while you can!”

Directed by Alex Rapport, Ripcord, a madcap play by David Lindsay-Abaire, is a nonstop laugh-producing mayhem with poignant moments for contrast. It is engaging from beginning to end. Ann Woodhead (Marilyn Dunne) and Jan Saul (Abby Binder) are to share a bedroom in a retirement community. Both have strong convictions shaped by life: Abby, a sour reclusive, and Marilyn, an outgoing socializer. It is destined to be a fraught relationship. Abby wants the room to herself and has chased away other roommates. Marilyn has her eye on Abby’s bed near the window. What starts in sharply humorous jibes quickly develops into a test of character strength and, at Marilyn’s suggestion, becomes a bet. If Marilyn can scare the undaunted Abby, she wins the bed by the window. If Abby can push Marilyn’s avoidance of conflict to anger, Marilyn will find another room. The pranks grow in strategic complexity that includes recovered failings from the past. Humorous banter ripples on the surface of deeper scenes, developing into well-crafted joke-like exploits only fully revealed to audience delight when executed.

Others of the exceptional cast include Lucas Kiehn-Thilman (Scotty), health aide, and Straight Man trope for the warriors to resist and manipulate. Mark Friedrich (Benjamin, Lewis, sinister chainsawtoting clown). Bryn Martin (Collieen, spooky woman in white). Raven Deerwater (Derek, zombie, butler, masked man).

The clever stage set with appropriate music and lighting allows for smooth transitions from the bedroom to the house of horror to the aircraft for a skydiving sequence of in-your-face slapstick. The stage work of Janice Culliford (costume design), Diane Larsen (set design), Jacob Turner (stage manager), and guest artist Missy Weaver (lighting design) is flawlessly incorporated to support the action.

The director, cast, and behind-the-scenes staff have come together for a remarkable production of surprises, humor, and humanity worthy of experiencing more than once.

Ripcord may be seen at The Mendocino Theatre Company from September through October 15. Tickets and information may be obtained at 707.937.4477 or Mendocino Theatre.org.