‘Come Blow Your Horn’ is simple, but effective
Two brothers, two girls, two parents. Medicine Hat Musical Theatre, with an assist from a legendary playwright, is proving that’s all you need for a great night out.
Tonight the local group opens Neil Simon’s “Come Blow Your Horn,” a tale of growing up, personal connections and love.
Alan Baker (played by Mario Mudri) has been living the playboy lifestyle in 1960s New York. It’s a life his younger brother Buddy (Mark Irwin) desperately wants. He leaves home and moves in with Alan. Their parents (Nic Dieterle and Rae Wahl) soon end up at Alan’s bachelor pad, along with loads of sarcastic comments and buckets of guilt trips. Through all this, Alan’s flavour of the week Peggy Evans (Athena Crowley) and a girl he’s starting to have actual feelings for Connie Dayton (Amie Weisgerber) come in and out of the brothers’ lives.
As opposite as the brothers are — Alan the smooth ladies man, Buddy the nervous wreck — the girls and parents are similar. Peggy is a ditzy aspiring actress to Connie’s more seasoned performer, while Mr and Mrs. Baker are overbearing toward their sons in their own unique ways.
With only six characters and just one set, the dialogue and interplay between the characters is important. Quick back-and-forths and entrances and exits by the characters move the play along at a rapid pace. Consider “Noises Off!” or “Boeing Boeing” from the past couple of years, but toned down somewhat.
All in all, MHMT newcomer Frederick Klem has directed his cast to a show they all should feel good about blowing a horn about.
"Come Blow Your Horn" runs Feb. 17-18, Feb. 23-25 and March 2-4 at 8 p.m. plus Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. All shows are at the Medicine Hat Musical Theatre Playhouse.
Tickets $30 plus GST, are available by calling 403-5023477 and at www.mhmtheatre.com. More information is available on the website.