MANY HAPPY RETURNS
American premiere production by Bernard Farrell at Laguna Playhouse through Dec. 18. Directed by Andrew Barnicle. Cast features Susan Duerden, Brendan Ford, Melanie Lora, Barry Lynch, Robin Pearson Rose, Nick Ullett. Performances Tuesday-Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sundays 2 p.m.; also 7 p.m. on Dec. 11. Tickets $20-$59; (949) 497-2787 or www.LagunaPlayhouse.com.
Farrell, one of Ireland’s top comedic playwrights, brings a touch of Irish humor to the American stage in a production guaranteed to lift the holiday spirits and relieve holiday season stress. The setting is an Irish country home, where Irene and Arthur prepare to entertain Declan, a onetime village bad boy who returns to visit after making a fortune in New Zealand. In a setting all too familiar to those who entertain, Irene flits about trying to ensure that her scripted evening will be just perfect. An ulterior motive is to get Arthur, who recently lost his job, a position with the young entrepreneur in New Zealand. But her father’s presence and Arthur’s bumbling work against the perfect holiday party. From hot tub mishaps and the unexpected arrival of Irene’s wayward mother to Declan’s wife Amanda’s musings about feng shui, this fast-paced comedy has plenty of surprises and adds a light-hearted touch to the holiday season.
,Sandi Cain
RATING: Four Briefcases (out of four)
