Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre is happy to announce the opening of the outrageous adult comedy “Run for Your Wife” by one of the Barn’s favorite authors, the prolific Ray Cooney and starring Dan Challacombe and Bob Lane Junior. The hilarious hijinks begin March 10 with shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday brunches through May 1. There is no performance on Easter Sunday, April 24.
“Run for Your Wife” is perhaps Cooney’s most famous farce, playing for many years in London as well as New York. The plot concerns mild-mannered taxi driver John Smith who has two wives in two homes that he time-shares by means of an exact and meticulous schedule. An unexpected accident causes mayhem when he is taken to the wrong house at the wrong time. Very soon comic chaos ensues as John struggles to keep his secret with the help of his reluctant upstairs neighbor Stanley. Two policemen complicate matters as they try to get to the truth behind the confusion, along with a tabloid reporter who gets hold of the story and the upstairs neighbor at John’s other home who’s trying to drown everyone from above with a flood of spilled paint.
Barn favorites Dan Challacombe and Bob Lane Jr. head the cast as John and Stanley, with Miranda Axsom and Diann Thompson as John’s wives Mary and Barbara, John Johnson and Fred Heskett as the policemen, Tom Weber as the reporter and Pat Gaik as flamboyant upstairs neighbor Bobby Franklin.
The production is directed by Mary Simon. Set design is by Tom Weber, technical direction is by April Wyant, and publicity is by Pat Gaik. Conklin’s Barn II is known for its delicious buffet which, on evening performances, includes four main entrees featuring the Barn’s renowned prime rib and fried chicken, with two fish entrées for the Lenten season. The buffet also features salad, homemade soup and cheese spread, and a choice of four taste-tempting, homemade desserts. Prices for dinner and show are $32.00 on Thursday evenings, $34.00 on Friday evening and Sunday brunch, and $36.00 on Saturday evening, including tax. No advance payment is required. Conklin’s is also BYOB for wine, beer or cocktails. Glasses, ice and ice buckets are provided at no extra charge. For reservations, call the box office at 309-965-2545. For more information, visit the Barn on the internet at www.barn2.com.
Conklin’s Crew Re-Enlists at the Stage Door Canteen
Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre is very proud to announce the limited return engagement of the hilarious and tuneful U.S.O. spectacular G.I. Jukebox opening Thursday, June 17 and playing for a 6 weeks only through July 25 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday brunch. This show was an instant sell-out during it’s 2008 premiere. Bookings are already brisk for this revival so early booking is being encouraged!
G.I. Jukebox is a terrific blend of comedy and music that evokes the WWII era and the U.S.O. shows brought to the troupes by the stars of the day like Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. The show is conceived by Rick Stewart, creator of “The Taffetas” and contains his arrangements of the best music of the period in fabulous four part harmony. The evening also contains outrageous comedy from the era, including Abbott and Costello’s famous “Who’s on first” sketch and Spike Jones’ sound-effect spectacular “Cocktails for Two” performed live. The music will bring back wonderful memories and includes such hits as “In the Mood,” “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “Moonlight Serenade,” along with terrific medleys including the hits of the Andrews Sisters, the “Great 48” medley which contains no fewer than 15 different songs in rapid succession and the “Nonsense Medley” featuring comedy favorites like “Mairzy Doats,” “Three Little Fishies” and “Inka-Dinka-Doo.”
The multi-talented foursome bringing this show to life includes performers from the Barn’s previous hit musicals “Forever Plaid” and “The Taffetas” - husband and wife team Dan and Tamra Challacombe, Pat Gaik and Julie Seeley. The blend of these four terrific voices combined with their comic skills made “G.I. Jukebox” an instant hit and sure-fire audience favorite.
The production is directed by Mary Simon with choreography by Tamra Challacombe. The band features long-time Barn pianist Mel White (in his 35th year with the Barn!), with Al Hedstrom on bass and Zach Wakid on drums. Set design is by Tom Weber, technical direction is by April Wyant, and publicity is by Pat Gaik. Conklin’s Barn II is known for its delicious buffet which, on evening performances, includes four main entrees featuring the Barn’s renowned prime rib and fried chicken, with salad, homemade soup and cheese spread, and a choice of four taste-tempting, homemade desserts. Prices for dinner and show are $33.00 on Thursday evenings, $35.00 on Friday evening and Sunday brunch, and $37.00 on Saturday evening, including tax. No advance payment is required. For reservations, call the box office at 309-965-2545. For more information, visit the Barn on the internet at www.barn2.com.
Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre is excited to announce the opening of their premiere production of the hilarious Robin Hawdon farce “Shady Business” on March 11 and playing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday brunches through May 2.
Robin Hawdon, author of such comedy hits as “Perfect Wedding,” “Don’t Dress for Dinner” and “The Mating Game” has created a hysterical comedy involving dancing girls, mobsters and two hapless guys who get in way over their heads. The comedy opens with Larry waking up next to Mandy, a showgirl, in her apartment in Reno. Unfortunately, her jealous boss Big Mack is on his way to pick up the week’s profits from his various illegal operations, which are delivered to Mandy’s apartment. With Larry hiding in the bathroom, best friend Tania gets involved trying to hide him from Big Mack and his bodyguard, but mistakes delivery boy Terry for Larry and sets in motion a series of mistaken identities and troubles that erupt hilariously with Larry winding up in a dress as “Laura” during a very unusual and uncomfortable dinner party for Mack, Mandy, Tania, Terry and an amorous loan shark on the make.
Funny men Dan Challacombe and Pat Gaik head up the cast as Larry and Terry, with Miranda Axsom and Diann Thompson as Mandy and Tania. Chad Kirvan plays mob boss Big Mack, with John Johnson as loan shark Harry the Hammer and Parrish Worsfold as bodyguard Dozer.
The show is directed by Mary Simon. Set design is by Tom Weber, technical direction is by April Wyant, and publicity is by Pat Gaik. Conklin’s Barn II is known for its delicious buffet which, on evening performances, includes four main entrees featuring the Barn’s renowned prime rib and fried chicken, with salad, homemade soup and cheese spread, and a choice of four taste-tempting, homemade desserts. Prices for dinner and show are $31.00 on Thursday evenings, $33.00 on Friday evening and Sunday brunch, and $35.00 on Saturday evening, including tax. There is no performance on Easter Sunday. No advance payment is required. Conklin’s is also BYOB for wine, beer or cocktails. Glasses, ice and ice buckets are provided at no extra charge. For reservations, call the box office at 309-965-2545. For more information, visit the Barn on the internet at www.barn2.com.
There's an honest winsomeness in "We Need a Little Christmas," now playing at Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre. Along with the laughs and funny bits, there's a warm intimacy in this, their first-ever holiday revue.
This Conklin troupe of seven veterans knows their audience and they've crafted a show that has a rich variety of music presented in living-room coziness. The sold-out opening night crowd loved it. Some of them even got to participate; three audience members are escorted to the stage for a humorous Christmas trivia contest.
Twenty-one songs are performed and they're a blend of some well-known standards and some lesser-known holiday music. Thanks in part to the responsiveness of the onstage three-person orchestra, music director/pianist Chad Kirvan is able to maintain a brisk pace.
Director Mary Simon steals the show with her hilarious "The Twelve Daze of Christmas."
The husband and wife team of Tamra and Dan Challacombe provide a highlight with their married-sexy "Baby, It's Cold Outside."
Diann Thompson provides another highlight when she sings "Somewhere in My Memory." That's a song from the movie "Home Alone" and she performs it with a Judy Garland sort of vulnerability that's quite effective.
The entire cast performs an up-tempo medley of Christmas carols that gives these great old tunes a fun, fresh sound. Percussionist Zach Wakid adds a special flair here and throughout the show.
The quartet of men (Kirvan, Challacombe, Pat Gaik and Dave Windsor) sing a close-harmony "Auld Lang Syne" and, again, it's a fresh twist on an old standard.
Pat Gaik nails "A Place Called Home," a gorgeous song from Broadway's "A Christmas Carol." It's probably the heart of the show, too. The opening night feeling was that Barn II felt a lot like "a place called home" to kick off the holiday season.
Conklin’s Rings in the Holidays with Music and Laughter
Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre is very excited to announce the opening of their first-ever holiday revue of music and comedy, “We Need a Little Christmas” opening Thursday, November 12 and playing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday brunches through January 3, 2010 with extra performances on Wednesdays December 2, 9 and 16 and two special performances on New Year’s Eve December 31.
“We Need a Little Christmas” is a fantastic, sparkling evening of song, dance and comedy that will be perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings alike. Filled with the best in Christmas classics as well as holiday music from film, television and Broadway, the evening will feature songs such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Home for the Holidays,” “Let’s Start the New Year Right,” and, of course, “We Need a Little Christmas,” to name just a few. A special segment of holiday comedy songs including “All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth,” “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” and a special appearance by the Chipmunks, will delight children of all ages. An outrageously hilarious version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” will have the audience rolling with laughter. And the audience will get involved in the action with a Christmas trivia game show and a special guest Santa will take part at every performance.
Director Mary Simon leads a cast of the Barn’s best musical comedy performers including Dan and Tamra Challacombe, Pat Gaik, Chad Kirvan, Dave Windsor and Diann Thompson.
The production is choreographed by Tamra Challacombe and Chad Kirvan serves as musical director. Set design is by Tom Weber, technical direction is by April Wyant, and publicity is by Pat Gaik. Conklin’s Barn II is known for its delicious buffet which, on evening performances, includes four main entrees featuring the Barn’s renowned prime rib and fried chicken, with salad, homemade soup and cheese spread, and a choice of four taste-tempting, homemade desserts. Prices for dinner and show are $33.00 on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, $35.00 on Friday evening and Sunday brunch, and $37.00 on Saturday evening, including tax. No advance payment is required. Conklin’s is also BYOB for wine, beer or cocktails. Glasses, ice and ice buckets are provided at no extra charge. For reservations, call the box office at 309-965-2545. For more information, visit the Barn on the internet at www.barn2.com.
I'm a little late putting this up, considering we opened last week! Maybe my attention-whore needs are abating? Nah....
Miranda Axsom, April Wyant, Dan Challacombe, John Johnson, Mary Simon, Bob Lane Jr., Sara Flanders and Pat Gaik in Neil Simon's "Rumors"
Commercial:
Neil Simon’s “Grapevine” Reaps Laughs at Conklin’s
Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre is very happy to announce the opening of the Neil Simon’s hilarious comedy “Rumors” starring Bob Lane Jr. and Mary Simon on Thursday, September 17 and playing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday brunches through November 8.
“Rumors” is Neil Simon’s only true farce and it’s a riot of hysterical activity from the moment the curtain goes up on an elegant New York home where an anniversary party is to take place for Charlie and Myra Brock. Unfortunately, Myra and the servants are missing and Charlie is upstairs alone, apparently suffering from an unsuccessful suicide attempt. Ken Gorman, Charlie’s lawyer, and his high-strung wife Chris are on the scene trying to sort out what happened before the other guests arrive. Charlie’s accountant Leonard Ganz and his gossip-prone wife Clair are next to arrive and be caught up in the web of intrigue, followed closely by Charlie’s analyst Ernie and his wife Cookie, as well as State Senate hopeful Glenn Cooper and his jealous, crystal-clutching wife Cassie. Things get heated enough to arouse the suspicions of the police, who arrive in the form of Officers Welch and Pudney, forcing the other guests to come up with a last-minute solution that will save their reputations and have the audience in gales of laughter.
Barn headliners Bob Lane Jr. and Mary Simon, who also directs, are teaming up as Len and Clair to lead the troupes through this comedy of outrageous fortune, including John Johnson and Miranda Axsom as Ken and Chris Gorman, Pat Gaik and Sara Flanders as Ernie and Cookie Cusack, and Dan Challacombe and April Wyant as Glenn and Cassie Cooper. Police officers Welch and Pudney are played by Tom Weber and Diann Thompson.
Set design is by Tom Weber, technical direction is by April Wyant, and publicity is by Pat Gaik. Conklin’s Barn II is known for its delicious buffet which, on evening performances, includes four main entrees featuring the Barn’s renowned prime rib and fried chicken, with salad, homemade soup and cheese spread, and a choice of four taste-tempting, homemade desserts. Prices for dinner and show are $31.00 on Thursday evening, $33.00 on Friday evening and Sunday brunch, and $35.00 on Saturday evening, including tax. No advance payment is required. Conklin’s is also BYOB for wine, beer or cocktails. Glasses, ice and ice buckets are provided at no extra charge. For reservations, call the box office at 309-965-2545. For more information, visit the Barn on the internet at www.barn2.com.
By Patricia S. Stiller | Posted: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 8:05 am |
The Barn II comedy squad is at its finest in their latest offering, Paul Slade Smith's award-winning side-splitter, "Unnecessary Farce," making its Central Illinois debut in Goodfield this summer.
Set in adjoining rooms of an economy motel in "anywhere USA," this comedy centers around the undercover police investigation of a possible embezzlement scheme involving a town mayor.
At the center, two inexperienced officers, Eric Sheridan and Billie Dwyer, begin their day checking their surveillance equipment and running quality control checks on the doughnuts.
The officers are working in cooperation with the town's accountant, the lovely Karen Brown, who secretly has a thing for officer Sheridan, unbeknown to him.
Just as Brown is revealing her passion for the junior detective, his partner switches on the video camera in the next room, capturing the entire steamy interaction on tape just in time for the mayor to enter the scene.
Things go from bad to worse when the mayor's head of town hall security, Agent Frank, arrives and nervously erupts with information about the Scottish Mafia and the assassin known as Todd the Highland Hit Man, who is connected somehow to the missing money.
"No one is safe," Agent Frank warns.
When Billie returns to her room to check the equipment, she discovers a plaid duffel bag containing bagpipes in her room.
Lucky for her the mayor's wife, looking for her husband, arrives - or is it?
The ensemble delivers, with outstanding performances by John Johnson as Eric Sheridan and April Wyant as his partner, Officer Billie Dwyer.
Also giving it their best are Miranda Axsom as Karen, Dan Challacombe as Agent Frank, Mary Simon as Mrs. Meekly, and headliners Bob Lane Jr. as Mayor Meekly and Pat Gaik as Todd.
Patricia Stiller is a freelance writer who reviews plays for The Pantagraph.
Unnecessary Farce
Venue: Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre, Goodfield
Times and dates: Thu.-Sat. evenings and Sun. matinees, through Sept. 13
Cost: $31 to $35
Running time: 2 hr., including 20-min. intermission
Review: 'Unnecessary Farce' pushes the right buttons
Zany show follows conventions of a farce, but does it well
By GARY PANETTA of the Journal Star
Posted Jul 26, 2009 @ 12:28 AM
GOODFIELD — Bagpipes, bumbling cops, a kilt-crazy Scotsman - what do you do for an encore?
If you're the alliteratively named playwright Paul Slade Smith, you might toss in standby gags such as trousers falling down and men in funny underwear.
That's what the actor/author does in the amusing and highly theatrical "Unnecessary Farce," which opened Friday at Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre.
The show begins with a pair of Keystone Kops in a sting operation trying to catch an embezzling mayor on video.
Everything, of course, backfires: Doors are slammed, identities are feigned as the plot grows ever zanier and a kilt-sporting, bagpipe-playing Scotsman wearing a fuzzy hat brogues and rogues his way across the stage.
Farces are almost by definition formulaic. Any writer who tries to produce one works within a narrow set of conventions. Yet for this very reason, farce has certain appeal.
Some basic elements of theater - stage business and gesture; verbal playfulness; a clever premise with great comic or dramatic appeal; story reversals that are surprising but plausible in retrospect - are at stake. How cleverly can the playwright manipulate them?
In this case, pretty cleverly, it turns out. Smith, who is touring with "Wicked," demonstrates an actor's pleasure in physical humor in "Unnecessary Farce." Only consider the opening moments of the play, when Officer Sheridan - bumbling cop No. 1, wonderfully played by John Johnson - plays Twister with uncooperative shirt and pants as he fields a telephone call from his angry boss.
It turns out Sheridan has just been playing twister of another sort with Karen, the fetching young accountant and intended jailbait for the mayor, an amiable but apparently clueless fellow played by Bob Lane.
Struggles with bothersome outer garments continue moments later as Karen - the funny, over-the-top Miranda Axsom - is busy unzipping this and peeling off that on the bed before the couple is embarrassingly interrupted.
But even the tangles of sheets and clothing are soon outpaced by tangles of a more verbal variety. The brilliant Pat Gaik, who cuts such a glorious figure as the fully costumed Scotsman, rapid-fires a stream of verbal nonsense that passes for dialect with admirable speed and ability. April Wyant - who plays Officer Billie, bumbling cop No. 2, the only character who can understand the Scotsman - just as admirably repeats it all in English, winning applause Friday night.
Smith's scene setting also is packed with comic possibilities: The play takes place in two adjoining motel rooms, one with a computer screen that monitors and records the goings-on next door.
The back-and-forth action between the rooms and the situation's built-in ironies are milked endlessly by director Mary Simon.
Combine all of this with additional, very weird characters - Agent Frank, who receives a loopy and odd performance from Dan Challacombe; and the soft-spoken Mary Meekly, well played by Simon, who wanders on stage like a ticking time bomb - and you have the makings of an amusing show.
"Unnecessary Farce" is a well-crafted farce that finds new energy in a familiar theatrical form.
The hilarious new comedy "Unnecessary Farce" by Paul Slade Smith makes it's Illinois debut at Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre in Goodfield beginning July 23.
Rob Marshall is giving what looks to be a very similar treatment as he used in "Chicago" to the 1982 musical "Nine." I hear they've scrapped a lot of the score, but what a cast! And Fergie sounds great on the trailer singing the show's anthem "Be Italian."
We had a great opening week, overall, though one night was a bit of a trainwreck in places. The reviews so far have been great!
Barn II troupe delivers A Review by Patricia S. Stiller The Pantagraph Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Some things are just better shared. Like a wonderful evening filled with good food, good friends and good fun out at Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre.
The masters of mayhem are at their comic best in the current, must-see offering, Michael Cooney’s “Cash on Delivery,” which features the entire resident company, headlined by Bob Lane Jr. and Pat Gaik.
Cooney’s hilarious script follows the unbelievable antics of Eric Swan, who neglected to inform his wife that he was no longer employed.
Swan, played with gusto by audience favorite Bob Lane Jr., stumbles onto a source of income when a government benefit check arrives at his home for a former lodger.
Over time, Swan creates a series of imaginary lodgers, and receives benefit checks for often ridiculous ailments, barely staying one step ahead of the agency investigators.
Finally, the inevitable happens, and it all hits the fan, forcing Swan to weave his only actual lodger Norman McDonald into the fray, with side-splitting results.
McDonald is played to the hilt by the incomparable Gaik.
The chaos is nonstop, and the fun contagious, with hilarious supporting performances by John Johnson, as Mr. Jenkins the investigator; Diann Thompson as Sally Chessington; and the lovable Tome Weber as Uncle George.
Conklin's comedy delivers 'Cash on Delivery' lets dinner theater cast do what they do best By GARY PANETTA of the Journal Star Posted Mar 07, 2009 @ 10:35 PM
GOODFIELD — The pleasure of Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre lies somewhere between watching an old-fashioned vaudeville routine and an elaborate juggling act.
Performers pound the floorboards as they play characters caught up in ever-sillier and ever-more far-flung plot twists that threaten at every moment to come crashing down around the actors' heads.
In the case of "Cash on Delivery," which runs through April 26, the plot twisting begins with a con-artist premise that nicely fits these recessionary times. Laid-off Eric Swann (Bob Lane Jr.) has been ripping off the Social Security system for years by pretending to be someone he isn't and by pretending to have tenants with various ills and pensionable conditions.
When this amusing play begins, Eric is in way over his head, and he's digging himself deeper with every effort to dig himself out. His friend Norman McDonald (Pat Gaik) is ensnared in the con game despite his better judgment.
Fictitious personages multiply. Characters pop in and out of doors.
There are lots of jokes involving brassieres and women's underwear. At one point, Gaik appears in a shocking floral dress and an even-more-shocking women's wig. There's even a tug-of-war gag involving an apparent corpse, which isn't really a corpse at all.
This is the sort of show Conklin's cast members are well-accustomed at playing, and they clearly have fun with this material. Lane's Eric Swann is reminiscent of a deadpan Tom Smothers as he good-naturedly cons and improvises his way through one lame explanation after another. Gaik is a hoot, as always. Dan Challacombe aces the role of Dr. Chapman, a creepy psychologist with horn-rimmed glasses and a weird, man-on-the-moon voice. Tom Weber's Uncle George is hilarious, whether he's being hit in the head repeatedly by a swinging door or appearing in his long underwear to Eric's addled wife, Linda (the funny Miranda Axsom).
Rounding out the cast is Mary Simon as Ms. Cowper, the Social Security bureaucrat who comes to investigate the strange goings-on; John Johnson, who plays Mr. Jenkins, another Social Security agent who finds more than he bargained for when he comes calling; David Flanders as Mr. Forbright, the funeral director; Diann Thompson as Sally Chessington, the social-service worker whose very presence further tangles the plot; and April Wyant as Brenda Dixon, Norman's long-suffering and much-abused fiancee.
All the actors deliver what basically is meat-and-potatoes dinner-theater entertainment with lots of laughs - all very much in the spirit of the late Chaunce Conklin, who founded this unlikely enterprise in 1975. It's well worth a drive into the country.
Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 by Pat Gaik
Conklin’s Cashes in on Laughter
Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre is pleased to announce the opening of the wild and crazy comedy “Cash on Delivery” starring Bob Lane Jr. and Pat Gaik opening Thursday, March 5 and playing through April 26 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday brunch.
“Cash on Delivery” is by Michael Cooney, son of famous farceur Ray Cooney, whose shows such as “Run for Your Wife,” “Funny Money” and “Not Now, Darling” have been staples at the Barn for years. Michael follows in his father’s footsteps, creating hilarious characters in outrageous plots that sparkle with witty dialogue and door-slamming action. The action of “Cash on Delivery” follows lovable ne’er-do-well Eric Swan (Lane) who is collecting financial support from a variety of government agencies for a menagerie of fictional tenants. His real tenant, Norman McDonald (Gaik) gets unwittingly entangled in the catastrophic comic events when a Social Security inspector turns up on the doorstep. Adding to the zaniness are a host of other comic characters—from Eric’s shifty uncle George to his worried wife Linda, along with various social workers, authority figures and even an undertaker!
Lane and Gaik are joined by a full complement of Barn regulars, with Mary Simon as Social Security official Ms. Cowper, John Johnson as inspector Mr. Jenkins, Tom Weber as uncle George, Miranda Axsom as wife Linda, Dan Challacombe as marriage counselor Dr. Chapman, Diann Thompson as social worker Sally, April Wyant as Norman’s fiancée Brenda and David Flanders as visiting undertaker Mr. Forbright.
The production is directed by Mary Simon. Set design is by Tom Weber, technical direction is by April Wyant, and publicity is by Pat Gaik. Conklin’s Barn II is known for its delicious buffet which, on evening performances, includes four main entrees featuring the Barn’s renowned prime rib and fried chicken, with salad, homemade soup and cheese spread, and a choice of four taste-tempting, homemade desserts. Prices for dinner and show are $31.00 on Thursday evening, $33.00 on Friday evening and Sunday brunch, and $35.00 on Saturday evening, including tax. No advance payment is required. For reservations, call the box office at 309-965-2545. For more information, visit the Barn on the internet at www.barn2.com.
‘Funny Valentines’ is a typically delightful romp at Barn II by Marcia Weiss The Pantagraph
One wonders, while munching on the home-style fried chicken from the buffet, why the pink set for “Funny Valentines,” which opened last weekend at the Barn II Dinner Theatre, is peppered with dozens of clocks.
Time seems at a standstill, however, as even the tail on the Felix the Cat clock doesn’t swish, underscoring a sore point between whimsical children’s book illustrator, Andy Robbins, and his more grounded ex-wife and co-author, Ellen.
Andy moans from his couch, “She left me because she said I never wound the clocks.”
Too depressed to work, Andy has also let his appearance slide. Rather than bothering to replace the buttons which have fallen off his shirt, he staples his shirt shut instead.
Sloppiness aside, this does not prevent longtime fan Zan Wilkinson, the director from Intro Media, from being attracted to Andy.
Zan has conspired with Andy’s literary agent, Howard, to get Andy and Ellen to sign away their rights to the publishing sensation, Beanie the Bear. Once franchised, Beanie would surely become “bigger than Mickey Mouse,” making them all millionaires.
In the process of negotiation, Zan makes it clear that she is interested in much more from Andy than solely a “business” relationship. And when they attempt to seal the deal, their saucy plans are upset when Ellen knocks on the door, with a few surprises of her own.
Miranda Axsom is lovely as Ellen, and her versatility as an actress is most evident when she stoops to the same level as her immature ex-husband.
Dan Challacombe almost never leaves the stage as Andy. He carries the show with great energy, and just the right amount of pathos.
Mary Simon as Zan, Pat Gaik as Howard and Sara Flanders as Ellen’s mother all kick the comedy up a notch each time they enter into the mayhem.
Running through January and February, the lighthearted “Funny Valentines” serves as a good tonic to keep he winter blues at bay.
'Valentines' an amusing romp Mary Simon directs production at Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre By GARY PANETTA of the Journal Star Posted Jan 10, 2009 @ 09:02 PM
A REVIEW
GOODFIELD — A can of Cool Whip, a naughty Frederick's of Hollywood nightie and a well-aimed quip at Gov. Rod Blagojevich provide the highlights for "Funny Valentines" at Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre.
This amusing farce, which runs through March 1, is a romp through the topsy-turvy world of one Andy Robbins, a children's book illustrator who just can't seem to grow up.
Robbins has been offered the deal of a lifetime by his double-talking yet faithful agent. And it all depends on whether he can win over his former collaborator and practical-minded ex-wife. The question is: Can he do it?
Directed by Mary Simon, this farce is full of twists, turns and, of course, Cool Whip. Simon shows up with the latter in hand as Zan Wilkinson, a program director from a major media company who also happens to be a leggy blonde with a penchant for black lingerie and a major crush on Andy. When Zan isn't seducing the willing Andy, she wants to turn his children's character Bennie the Bear into a major television cartoon with plenty of plastic toy spin-offs.
The deal depends on Andy's ability to grow up - no easy task for this zany character who can't face reality. Played by Dan Challacombe, Andy appears unable to handle life at all: He uses orange pipe cleaner to hold his glasses together and a staple gun to button his shirt. Challacombe has a knack for physical comedy, and he makes the most of it in this show as he quickly turns his back on the audience to zip his fly, cradles his head in his hands in mock anguish or falls to the couch with Zan on top of him.
Miranda Axsom plays straight woman to Andy's lunacy as his pregnant ex-wife, Ellen, a woman who fell in love with Andy's Peter Pan ways only to find a man who never grows up can be as frustrating as he is charming. Pat Gaik does well as Howard Levy, Andy's Maalox-drinking agent who isn't above stretching the truth if personal profit is at issue. (The audience laughed and applauded Friday when Andy compared Howard's ethics to those of Blagojevich.) Sara Flanders, meanwhile, turns in a funny and fluid performance as Elizabeth Winslow, Ellen's long-suffering mother who just wishes her temperamental daughter would settle down.
The set, designed and built by Tom Weber, is your typical New York City apartment except for one thing: The profusion of clocks on the walls, in nooks and crannies. There are big clocks, small clocks, old-fashioned pendulum clocks, newfangled clocks and one shaped like a cat - more than two dozen clocks in all. Obviously, they signal time might be running out for Andy, unless he can mend his ways. But to learn the full significance of these timepieces, you'll simply have to make time of your own to travel to Goodfield to see this very amusing show.
'Funny Valentines'
- What: Comedy about famous book illustrator who must overcome his Peter Pan syndrome to win back his ex-wife. Directed by Mary Simon.
- When: Through March 1. Shows Thursday through Saturday evenings (doors open 6 p.m., show 8 p.m.) and Sunday matinees (doors open noon, show 1:30 p.m.).
- Where: Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre, Goodfield.
- Admission: $31/Thursday; $33/Friday and Sunday; $35/Saturday (includes tax). Call 965-2545 or visit www.barn2.com.
FUNNY VALENTINES opens January 8 at Conklin's. I get to play a New York agent trying to get his divorced clients back together to sell their children's book series to TV. It's a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy!
Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2008 by Pat Gaik
...in Philly, Boston, or a barn in the middle of the cornfields of Illi-no!
Okay, so I'm no Cole Porter.
Anyway, this is it, kids! The Big One!
If anyone has a spare moment at 8:00 PM CST tonight, send a positive thought my way! We had a very good final dress last night - my co-star was on fire! Now I have to try to match him!
This crew has the timing of a fine Swiss timepiece, and the sharp wit of a wheel of aged cheddar -- loriwin
Melanie Fletcher and Jerry J. Davis are increasingly infamous speculative fiction writers; Patrick Gaik is an actor and leading light in Illinois dinner theater. Together with their roving newsgirl Stacy T, they discuss everything from philosophical subtleties to porn, with amusing side trips into day jobs, night jobs, writing, reading, performing, SF, fantasy, sex, anime, movies, TV, beer, coffee, Diet Coke with Lime, and anything else that wanders through their tiny minds.
And please, don't listen to Episode 26. Just...trust us on this.
Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre is happy to announce the opening of the outrageous adult comedy “Run for Your Wife” by one of the Barn’s favorite authors, the prolific Ray Cooney and starring Dan Challacombe and Bob Lane Junior. The hilarious hijinks begin March 10 with shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday brunches through May 1. There is no performance on Easter Sunday, April 24.
Barn favorites Dan Challacombe and Bob Lane Jr. head the cast as John and Stanley, with Miranda Axsom and Diann Thompson as John’s wives Mary and Barbara, John Johnson and Fred Heskett as the policemen, Tom Weber as the reporter and Pat Gaik as flamboyant upstairs neighbor Bobby Franklin.
