“Flaming Idiots”: only a fool would miss this show at Playmasters!

by Stephen Kreal

On Friday, September 19^th, I went to the opening night performance of Flaming Idiots at Playmasters Theater Workshop, nestled in Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem PA. Flaming Idiots is written by award-winning playwright and actor Tom Rooney. It was directed by Kathy Garafano. Rob Drigant acted as Stage Manager. 

Flaming Idiots was originally presented in 1992 at the TADA! Theatre off-off Broadway in New York City. It was the co-winner of the 1992 New American Comedy Festival. The play has been performed in regional, high school, college, and community theatre productions. The two leads can be played by either two men or two women. Playmasters cast the latter option. And so Gina Drigant was cast as Phyllis (not Phil) and Ronit Adini was cast as Carla (not Carl).

Flaming Idiots tells the story of two women, and their efforts to become successful businesspeople, in spite of themselves. Carla (played by Ronit Adini), and Phyllis (played by Gina Drigant) decide to open up a health food restaurant. They have far more enthusiasm and optimism than business savvy. Their enthusiasm quickly wanes after they open, and very few people come to patronize their establishment. The restauranteurs concoct a wild scheme to draw customers to their establishment. They take inspiration from a notorious mob “hit” that took place years earlier in a local restaurant.

The play is a farce, and in true farcical style, there are four doors through which actors enter and exit the set. The set is a simple unit set, well-lit (lighting design by Kathy Garofano and Bob Clothier), spacious enough for the comedic hijinks that took place on the stage. Set build credit is given to: Joe Szumila, Rich Hall, Bob Clothier, Tom Dinardo, Jared Drigant, John Lewis, Mike Busch, Kelly Povey-Plexico, Deb Lewis, Nicole Shaw, Colleen Mackle, Jeremy Messer, Jen Pfender, Gina Drigant, and Rob Drigant. 

Act One sets the tone of the play and introduces the characters. Drigant’s character was the “mastermind” of the plot (and I use the term loosely), and Adini was the more rational, cautious character. The two had stellar chemistry and their lines flowed as smoothly as a waterfall. Their banter was effortless and highly polished. The pair also displayed impressive energy. I am also impressed with the rather large number of lines that the two leads had to conquer. Costuming was done by the cast members and there were no major costume changes. 

The play was enhanced by a supporting cast of oddballs and goofy characters. 

Jennifer Pfender plays Bernadette, the hearing-impaired chef. Pfender takes on the challenge of playing a character who doesn’t speak. Every emotion must be conveyed nonverbally, and the experienced and gifted Pfender delivers a wonderful performance, with an Act 2 surprise! One minor confusion has to do with the Act 2 surprise, which I do not want to spoil. However, one important plot point was not made clear to the audience.

Actor Juan Caceres AND actor Jared Drigant BOTH play Ernesto, a foreigner who poses as being “Norwegian”, although his accent suggested otherwise. The performance that I attended, Jared Drigant was playing the role.  Drigant’s character supposedly the ring-leader of a money laundering scheme. This character is delightfully upbeat and just a bit zany. Drigant’s performance played into the absurdity of the play very effectively.

Mike Busch plays Task, a uniform equestrian cop on-the-beat. This is Busch’s second time acting in a mainstage production. Busch’s scenes are hilarious. He plays a wonderful balance of charm, and lovable incompetence. Some of his scenes display an impressive physicality and full commitment to his role. Busch’s performance was quite polished for an actor with little stage-acting experience. I hope Busch continues to pursue theater.

Nicole Shaw plays Jayne, the hometown newspaper's food critic, advertising manager, and crime beat reporter. A "wardrobe malfunction" that happens to her is the source of many laughs. This character drops several very funny double-entendres, to big laughs.

Highly experienced (and Perry Award-nominated) actor Barry Leonard plays Eugene. Eugene is a dramatic and aspiring actor who works as a waiter. Leonard is impressive and quite hilarious in his portrayal. He is heavily invested in method acting and is eager for his chance to perform. Leonard is quite funny in his moments to shine.

Towards the end of ACT 1, we are introduced to the character of Louie, played by the highly experienced and talented Tom Dinardo. Louie is the blundering, eccentric, and daft hitman employed to carry out their audacious plot. Dinardo’s performance was a blend of physical comedy with absolutely perfect comedic timing. The portrayal of Louie was a highlight of the evening. Bravo, Mr. DiNardo!

Act 2 is definitely more fast-paced and frantic. As is always the case in a farce, the situation gets out of control, due to assumptions and bungling. The physical comedy also really ramps up in Act 2, as the plot totally unravels to the delight of the boisterous audience. The action and absurdity escalate nicely, I especially enjoyed the interactions with the victim, played by a dummy in a wheeled chair. Flaming Idiots is unpretentious, it is a silly, laugh-a-minute farcical romp, which delivers the laughs.

Director Kathy Garofano (who also was responsible for lights/sound, set decoration, and set construction assistance) weaves a fun-spirited story of incompetence, false assumptions, and physical comedy.  Congratulations to the cast and crew at Playmasters. Flaming Idiots runs through October 5^th. Tickets can be purchased here: https://playmasters.booktix.com/