THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
If you can get to SoCal in the next two weeks, do not miss this one!!! Actually, make it a point to be here for this show!
I had seen the National Tour of The Play That Goes Wrong at the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown LA in 2019, and, as much as I appreciated it then, let me tell you—this production from 5 Star Theatricals is even better! Much better, in fact. This more intimate theatre in the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks is the perfect venue for all the mayhem that ensues.
(L-R, in window) Adam Hagenbuch, Gabi Manoukian, and Timothy Willard, with Lyndsi LaRose lying in it. And Justin Michael Wilcox and John Shartzer off to the right. Photo by Veronica Slavin., as is the one above.
The entire audience I saw it with was hysterical the whole time, especially a young girl to the side of me, who was laughing so hard I thought she was going to have a heart attack! I love being amongst people who are sooo enjoying what is being offered.
The basic plot of The Play That Goes Wrong is that the (fictional) Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society is staging an old-timey murder mystery, and that is the play that goes wrong. But the whodunit is not the point. The fast-paced craziness and absolute brilliance of every little bit, every little line is the point. It’s all so nutty, in a good way.
There are more sight gags than I’ve ever seen anywhere before! And the comedy is full of non-stop surprises; there’s no time to catch your breath before another one pops right up. The British creators of The Play That Goes Wrong—Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields—really thought of everything. I would have loved to be in that writers’ room with them to see how they did it!
(L-R) Travis Joe Dixon, Mark Gagliardi, Justin Michael Wilcox, and Gabi Manoukian. Photo by Veronica Slavin.
The play began on stage in England in 2012, and has been running ever since! Wow. (It’s also been running in New York since 2017.) And I say very deservedly so. Although I figure that they must have to change cast members quite often because I imagine that the intense physicality of every single role must take its toll. (And this 5 Star Theatricals cast is doing two shows on the Saturdays! They must each lose ten pounds a performance! Hmm—maybe I should look into getting a role in it next time.)
That’s the background of this fabulous play; now let’s get to the magnificence of this 5 Star Theatricals production of it:
Even though absolutely every aspect of this presentation is impeccable, the best part of the show for me is John Shartzer, who plays Cecil, the brother of the murder victim, (and later a gardener.) Any entertainment would be lucky to secure his talents. This is the third time I’ve seen him in a show, (in Clue at the Ahmanson in 2024, and as the Scarecrow in a holiday panto right here in this venue in December,) and once again, I have to single him out. Not only is he sooo “Gumby-esque,” (as I’ve written before, ) but his comic timing could not be better. Even his subtle facial expressions are perfection, and make it to the back of the room.
(L-R) John Shartzer, Justin Michael Wilcox, and Mark Gagliardi. Photo by Veronica Slavin.
Next comes the set, which is a character unto itself, so it needs to be exact and spot-on for all the hi-jinks. I assume that means that it cannot ever be redesigned for new renditions, so I give major kudos to the original set designing genius in England, (whoever he or she might be,) along with this scenic designer, Cody Tellis Rutledge, (whose set for this play has been used by several other companies around the country,) and local Props Designer, Alex Choate. Not even one tiny item can be out of place or not up to speed.
The third highlight for me is the out-of-the-blue shenanigans of Adam Hagenbuch near the end of the play. I don’t want to spoil the surprise, which made many of us scream, (yup, with yours truly leading the way,) but if you’re sitting not too close, (or are just a lover of body beauty, as I am,) be sure to have your binoculars ready for some incredible visuals! I absolutely do not remember this bit of fun when I saw the National Tour, and trust me, I would have remembered it!!!
(L-R) Lyndsi LaRose, Adam Hagenbuch, and Gabi Manoukian. Photo by Veronica Slavin.
The Play That Goes Wrong is the perfect ensemble piece, and to that end, really everyone in it is wonderful, including the stage crew, who do much of the work. There’s not a weak one in the bunch. The heaviest lifting is done by Mark Gagliardi, as the brother of an engaged woman, a role he handles with aplomb. I adored Mark as the Lion in the aforementioned panto in December, (and even met him at their afterparty because he admired my crazy Christmas sweater,) so I was happy to witness his good work once again.
I must also laud the theatre’s personnel—everyone was lovely, from the guy in the easy Box Office to the security bag checkers to the amiable venue manager to the ushers. That’s always a bonus.
So I say, for all reasons, (especially forgetting your own troubles, and those of this entire country, for the night,) go see The Play That Goes Wrong. Mr. X laughed hard when I just told him about it!
The set on a monitor in the lobby, which helps know when to take our seats for this one. Photo by Karen Salkin.
And by all means, bring the kids because they should love all this expert silliness. I also suggest that you get into your seats early for the subtle pre-curtain mischief. For example, one of the guys who acts as an usher, Justin Michael Wilcox, is actually in the show! My friend, Roz, and I talked to him for a bit, (Justin was still saying he’s the usher, of course,) and she was discussing Slow Horses star Gary Oldman. Roz asked if he was familiar with Gary’s work. Justin answered something to the effect of, “Of course! We were considering him for the lead—either Gary or Whoopi Goldberg.” Clever. That’s when I knew for sure he was not really an usher.
But hurry—it’s playing for just two more weekends! I wish the run would be longer because that is a lot of work for so few performances, but that’s how limited runs work. So, as I stated at the top, do not miss this one!!!
The Play That Goes Wrong running through March 29, 2026
Bank of America Performing Arts Center–Scherr Forum
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks
805-449-2787 www.5startheatricals.com
