The Play That Goes Wrong is everything right about a good comedy

Who knew that wrong could go so right? The Play That Goes Wrong gives theater fans a glimpse into the idea that acting is behaving truthfully, or does it?

Creating the perfect theater production is a momentous task. In The Play That Goes Wrong, the Cronley University Drama Society has carefully crafted their production of The Murder at Haversham Manor. While a mystery might be afoot, a series of events just might leave everyone feeling a little more unsettled.

Theater lovers come in all varieties. From the person who loves the classic musical with the belting diva to the modernist who prefers a quiet commentary on society, the theater can be an emphatic expression on the current climate or chaos.No matter the person in the seat, the audience needs to buy into the story for the experience to work.

Currently playing Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, the National Tour of The Play That Goes Wrong brings the audience into that storyline even before the house lights dim. To say that hilarity ensues in this play just means that you should seek some advice from Robert Grove’s School of Acting Perfectly. This writer’s emotioning and reacting definitely needs some work.

The play within a play breaks all the theater rules. From breaking the “wall” to the set slowly crumbling around its actors, everything, yes everything goes wrong, but that is where this comedy goes so right.

While there might be old school slapstick moments and sight gags, the actors sell these moments with such precision that you can’t help but laugh, and laugh again. Their moments of emoting to the back of the house ensures that no one missing the intention (or mis-intention).

In a way, this two-hour production is the perfect escapism. No one is looking to solve world hunger or drag you into another tyrannical political debate. It is about laughing, silliness and finding a moment to just be happy. Just like slipping into a warm bath, this play will leave you feeling refreshed, invigorated and rejuvenated.

During the opening night performance at Dr. Phillips Center, Chris Bean (played by Chris Lanceley) expertly breaks character at one point and responds to the audience. His “mouse” references in the Walt Disney Theater were as impeccable as was the UCF Knights big fish, small pond comment. It would be interesting to know how these lines change in each city. Those lines instantly won over the audience.

That type of moment is what makes this play so right in being so wrong. Granted, the audience is in on the joke, the silliness and the chaos. That knowing makes these moments just funnier. It is almost as if everyone is part of the secret.

While the plot of the play within the play is a classic murder mystery, no one really cares who killed who, the reasoning or that gotcha “Scooby-Doo” moment happens (although, everyone was wondering what really happened to Winston). The true story is that the life of a thespian isn’t easy.

Even though no one talks about the accidents, mistakes and other issues, some aspect this chaos can happen on any stage, on any night. What actor hasn’t flubbed a line, mispronounced a word or just done something terribly wrong. In most cases, the audience just never knows.

Sure, no one really wants a fellow actor to mispronounce “facade,” but things happen. Given the inexperience of the Carnley University Drama Society, the actors may not know how to cover those “oops” moments, yet.

Talking about The Play That Goes Wrong really doesn’t do this show justice. While the ensemble does give the audience a glimpse behind the curtain, theater lovers need to actually see this show to appreciate the performances. In between every big gotcha moment, there are moments of subtly that really shine.

Although the title might foreshadow a night of excreting, awful or even dreadful theater, audiences will definitely find that this play is far more tasteful than expected. Can any show that features Duran Duran really be that wrong?

The Play That Goes Wrong is currently on a national tour. After playing Dr. Phillips Center, the tour has dates through May 2020.

Are you ready to experience a night of theater that is so wrong that it is absolutely right? Just remember a napkin for your drink. Spilling in the theater due to all the laughter is still wrong.