By Eva Trieger
SOLANA BEACH, California — It is a very good thing that North Coast Rep’s Theater School Director, Benjamin Cole, is far more intrepid and persistent than any of his three detectives in this world premiere of The Gorilla. In 1925, a parody was written about a crooked business executive threatened by a serial killer who is disguised as a gorilla. Cole unearthed this show through some clever sleuthing as he sought a play that could share the set of mainstage production Blithe Spirit. What he found intrigued him, so he rewrote it after his own fashion, and delivered a comic, clever and thoroughly delightful play.
The 12-member cast included a few first timers as well as some seasoned Theater School vets. Other students who worked behind the scenes, Chris Payne (Assistant Director) and Rachel Weir (Assistant Stage Manager) are mentored and supported by Steve Smith and Ryan Ford.
This entertaining whodunit boasts a very talented cast. While they range in age from 11-18, hail from Seattle to San Diego, each one is invested in “telling a story” to the audience and sharing his/her love of the craft of acting. And that is quite obvious. The camaraderie of the cast is evident and this show is proof that the sum is greater than its parts.
The show opens with radio broadcasts interjected between songs of the 1920s. These bulletins warn of a serial killer dressed as a gorilla, and caution listeners to “Stay inside and be safe” or they describe details about the killer’s modus operandi. These announcements cause a great deal of screaming, fainting and adorable mugging on the parts of the maid, Kitty (Halley Irwin), wealthy homeowner, Cybil Stevens (Kayla Kamani) and the three over-the-top slapstick detectives, Harrigan, Mulligan and Garrity (Wendy Maddox, Robbie Glatts, and Ella Jorgensen). The facial expressions of Harrigan were fabulous, the sarcasm and “oh no you didn’t” moves of Mulligan were delicious, and everything about Garrity was perfection.
Other critical roles were portrayed by Jackson Kampf and Julia Isber, who take on the parts of Jack Marsden and Minnie Denby. This couple shares a loving connection and while they are visiting in the family home of Minnie’s cousin, Cybil, intend to help her get to the bottom of the mysterious murders.
A few red herrings sporadically haunt the stage. Peters (Sophia Kahn), the butler, seems certainly to have done it! On a number of occasions Minnie describes him as ‘“creepy” and indeed he is! The Stranger (Gabby Gerardy) provides even more comic relief from the anxiety wrought by the killer by appearing with fake mustache and shifting between accents and costumes. The sailor (Kirra Cheeseman) is sort of a wild card throughout. Her best scene is when she educates her “audience” on the species and behaviors of gorillas. The gorilla in question is portrayed by Caroline Salel.
I refuse to be a spoiler, so will simply tell you that actor Sophia Valenti, plays an important role as A.P. Conway. Now you’ll have to go see it! But don’t delay….the show is running from October 4th through October 7th, with limited times. Call the box office for availability: 858-481-1055.
If there is a young person in your life who has an interest in theater, or who may want to explore this adventure, North Coast Rep Theater is holding auditions for Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen on October 9-10th. This show is non-musical and seeks students ages 8-21. The remainder of the season will feature Monty Python’s “Spamalot”, “She Kills Monsters” and “”Comedy of Errors.” Check out their website for more information: https://northcoastreptheatreschool.org/.
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Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com