Buckle Your Seat Belts! Acting Out's 'It's Only a Play' is Comical Genius

Everybody’s a critic. It’s up to you how you want to keep your sanity.

Acting Out Theater Company invites audiences to a whirlwind of laughter with its production of Terrance McNally’s It’s Only a Play. In one chaotic night, a group of actors, producers, and playwrights feverishly await reviews, only for their clashing egos to spiral into comical mayhem.

Welcome to a review of a review of Acting Out’s It’s Only a Play. I was exhausted from laughing when the final dress rehearsal ended. Acting Out’s production is a hilarious and character-driven show that is more insightful than you realize. The play reminds us that criticism does not measure success or talent - it’s the passion behind the art that truly matters.

The cast embraces the show’s comical nature and pours their souls into it. They hammed up their performances, selling the wildest reactions and the most rambunctious energy I have ever seen!

Brian Semons-Madore is an absolute riot as James Wicker, a television actor who spends the evening dreading his show’s potential failure. Madore’s sarcastic delivery and exaggerated physicality are expertly portrayed.

Another highlight is Kyle Rys as Ida Drew, a much-despised critic of the entertainment industry. Rys captures the character’s snarky superiority but also manifests significant emotional layers.

This show is driven by a strong character dynamic, which is one of my favorite aspects. The tension and humor escalate as each actor enters the stage, creating an impeccable ensemble performance. It’s non-stop banter of arguments, insults, and revelations.

Gus P. Head (Olivia Stuart) is suffocating in the massive piles of coats brought up from the party downstairs. Liz Ronai Fontanella (Virginia Noyes) treats audiences with a shrilling scream and vulgar comments about the theater.

Peter Austin (Jeremy Marquez) leads the group in a prayer to erase any bad demons from the night of bad reviews. Julia Budder (Robyn Buckey) is trying to keep everything together, while Frank Finger (Cory Alan) has a massive meltdown you don’t want to miss.

Director Elvis Collins had no idea what show to do until he was given the script for It’s Only a Play and fell in love with it. Collins and his son, co-director Aidin Collins, stated that it was a fun process working with all the actors, cracking up themselves at the comical situations.

Since the play originated as an off-broadway show in 1982, Collins updated certain well-known names or events with a more modern touch, making references funnier.

What is comedy? Comedy has an array of definitions whether it’s line delivery, over-the-top reactions, or making puns of a situation. One line delivery by an actor almost had me laughing on the floor!

Acting Out created a beautiful set, resembling a lavish Manhatten living room where chaos unfolds. Exhausted from tirades, characters drop down on the furniture or even collapse to the floor. It’s a very open space with actors using every direction to their advantage. I am surprised nobody got wrapped up in the long phone cord.

When I was first asked to attend the show and review it, I was immediately intrigued by the irony of the show’s plotline. Amidst the comical absurdity, the play has a relatable moral. While reviews can sometimes be harsh, they serve as constructive criticism to help others improve.

Since I only attended a dress rehearsal, I can only imagine what a performance will be like. It’s hard to describe the off-the-wall comedy, so give yourself a treat to a night of laughter and buy a ticket for Acting Out’s hilarious production of It's Only a Play running until September 14.