Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – TACT’s Runyon-esque THREE WISE GUYS, a jovial if inconsequential romp

• By drediman
• March 13, 2018
• No Comments

The company of TACT’s production of “Three Wise Guys” by Scott Alan Evans and Jeffrey Couchman at Theatre Row.

I had a perfectly pleasant time at Three Wise Guys, which opened this past weekend at Off-Broadway’s ever-busy Theatre Row complex. Sadly, the production is touted to be the final production from TACT, a valuable contributor to the Off-Broadway scene over the last 25 years. Written by Scott Alan Evan and Jeffrey Couchman, this new comedy is based on the Prohibition-era short stories of Damon Runyon (“Dancing Dan’s Christmas” and “The Three Wise Guys”).

The creators have obviously taken their cue from that indestructible Guys and Dolls (also based on the works of Runyon). But unlike the famed Frank Loesser musical, Three Wise Guys doesn’t have the effortless charm and bouncy exhilaration of that classic – perhaps such an endeavor works better as a musical? Set in and around New York, the play tells the story of three friends approaching middle age, all hustling to move on to bigger and better things. In their respective attempts to do so, they dodge a few hairy, albeit amusing, situations. It’s all inoffensively jovial, but in the end, inconsequential if not at times a bit flat.

The TACT staging, which also features some whimsical shadow puppetry between scenes, is directed by Mr. Evans with a light touch. However, the production could ultimately use more zing and broadness to heighten the hilarity and giddiness. The hard working cast of seven – Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Joel Jones, Karl Kenzler, Victoria Mack, Ron McClary, John Plumpis, and Dana Smith-Croll – most doubling or even tripling roles is admirably solid. Farewell, TACT.

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THREE WISE GUYS
Off-Broadway, Play
TACT at Theatre Row
1 hour, 25 minutes (without an intermission)
Through April 14