There’s no need to continue reading this review. Instead, go to www.steppenwolf.org
and treat yourself to the best seats you can find, and thank me later. Noises Off is the greatest
comedic play ever written and no theater company could execute it as well as Steppenwolf –
nothing can convince me otherwise. The first thing I did when I got home was buy more tickets
so I could see it again with my family. If you dislike farcical comedy, then perhaps it’s not the
play for you. I say perhaps because Noises Off pushes beyond the boundaries of farce using
meta and an Escher-like mathematical puzzle component - truly next level. If you’ve ever been
part of the production of a play, in any capacity, you’ll appreciate it. I refuse to go into any
more detail because the less you know the better. If you simply must, do your own research.
It’s the characters as well as the farce that canonize the play. I asked my companion
who her favorite actors were. We agreed that Francis Guinan as Selsdon Mowbray/Burglar
steals the show, and Audrey Francis as Belinda Blair/Flavia Brent is a delight. Full disclosure,
Audrey was my teacher in an acting class once. I kept mum about it until my fellow theater-goer
concurred that she was brilliant. We decided we loved all the actors. Some highlights were Ora
Jones as Dotty Otley/Mrs. Clackett who begins and anchors the show with her commanding
presence, sly delivery, and deft interpretation - seamlessly filling the shoes Carol Burnett wore
in the film version of Noises Off. James Vincent Meredith as Frederick Fellowes/Philip
Brent/Sheikh could not have been more in character and treated us with to-die-for facial
expressions. Andrew Leeds as Garry Lejeune/Roger Tramplemain expertly bore the brunt of the
physical comedy, with a recurring bit that had us in near hysterical stitches every damn time. I
was not surprised to learn he is a member of the Main Company at The Groundlings in LA.
Amanda Fink as Brooke Ashton/Vicki fronted one of my favorite scenes that profers a first
glimpse into the glorious mayhem to come. It’s near the beginning and you’ll know it when you
see it.
I wasn’t able to see the show on press night, so if you were anywhere in the theater,
onstage or off, on Friday, September 27 th , you would have heard me screeching with laughter at
various times throughout the evening. Sorry/not sorry – with a somewhat sincere apology to
the people sitting right in front of me who (disapprovingly) did not seem to be quite as amused
as the rest of the uproarious crowd. I guess they’re just not my people.
My god, you must see this show. This is Steppenwolf performing Noises Off, a once-in-a-
lifetime opportunity. Shout out to 91-year-old playwright Michael Frayne - you wrote a hell of a
play 35 years ago. I hope you enjoyed writing it as much as I enjoyed seeing it. Count me in as
one of your biggest fans.
Noises Off runs through November 3 (extended by popular demand). at the Downstairs Theatre at 1650 N Halsted in Chicago
Curtain Times: Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursdays and Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 3 pm & 7:30 pm; and Sundays at 3 pm. Please note: there will not be 7:30 pm performances on Tuesday, September 17, Tuesday,
October 1, Thursday, October 3, Wednesday, October 9, Thursday, October 10, Wednesday,
October 16 and Tuesday, October 22; there will be a 2 pm matinee performance on
Wednesday, October 16.
Accessible Performance Dates:
Audio-Described and Touch Tour: Sunday, October 13 at 3 pm (1:30 pm touch tour)
Open-Captioned: Saturday, October 12 at 3 pm & Thursday, October 17 at 7:30 pm
ASL-Interpreted: Friday, October 18 at 7:30 pm
Relaxed/Sensory-Friendly: Saturday, October 19 at 3 pm
Again get those tickets here: https://www.steppenwolf.org/tickets--events/seasons-/2024-25/noises-off/
Photo by Michael Brosilow
For more reviews go to https://www.theatreinchicago.com
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