Noises Off Fills Steppenwolf with Energy and Hilarity

Ensemble member Audrey Francis, Andrew Leeds, James Vincent Meredith and Ora Jones in Steppenwolf Theatre’s revival of Noises Off. Photo by Michael Brosilow. 

Directed by Tony Award winning and Steppenwolf ensemble member Anna D Shapiro, Michael Frayn’s Noises Off is the kind of production that the world very much needs right now. Fun and fueled, the characters hit the ground running full steam ahead for entertainment’s sake and never stop despite the run time being almost three hours, including two intermissions. It never once felt long. It was honestly hard to leave the hilarity behind and walk back into reality.

A coproduction with Geffen Playhouse, Noises Off is a classic farce tour de force that follows the cast and crew of a play about to embark on opening night. They are not quite ready for curtains up to say the least. We watch as they attempt to hit their marks, put props where they should and most likely shouldn’t be, and plough forward in the name of theatre despite it all. It’s more than doors and sardines, it’s knowing the never say die mentality of stage craft, the show always goes on, the audience must never be aware how far off the rails you are, and forget the script, throw in a song. Noises Off showcases the comedy of errors on and off the stage that is theatre, the last minute shifts, the missed calls, and the family that it creates.

The ensemble cast featuring Vaneh Assadourian, Amanda Fink, Audrey Francis, Francis Guinan, Rick Holmes, Ora Jones, Andrew Leeds, James Vincent Meredith and Max Stewart all became instant masters of physical comedy. The nonstop chaos and calamity should be exhausting as they run up and down stairs, tumble, and project their mishaps for all to hear. Yet not once did their energy fail them. This ensemble cast stages theatre at its worst yet very much at its best. There was never a single pose, facial expression, or beat missed in this fast paced romp through drama. Not a single movement of their bodies, not even the smallish of lines was ever taken for granted. The silence alone caused uproarious laughter.

A love letter to those who adore theatre, Noises Off is your balm to all that ails you. Forget the spooky and macabre as we embark into fall, this is your cozy blanket and cup of tea to sooth the worlds worries. Already extended to November 3, Noises Off is the must see of the season, a true delight right when we needed it most. For more information and tickets, visit steppenwolf.org.