Mukilteo Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

What is it about actors that fascinates us so? For some like Meryl Streep, they make themselves into human sponges long into adulthood. They learn accents and languages they don’t speak.

Sometimes they learn instruments they don’t play or learn how to fence. They are quick studies for any skill.

But what about those who are stage actors instead of movie actors? They don’t get nearly the credit they deserve. Of course, they don’t have to do as much, but movie actors have the advantage of multiple takes.

Theater actors, on the other hand, have to show up in front of an audience and get it right on the spot.

What happens when personal drama of the actors interferes with the on-screen drama? What if they miss their cues and ad-lib lines? You get “Noises Off.”

Please don’t misunderstand. These are the characters they play, not the actors themselves. The story takes place onstage and backstage where a play titled “Nothing On,” is being rehearsed by a group of actors who are unprepared to go on the next day.

As love triangles rear their ugly heads, props and contact lenses disappear, and boozy burglars stumble through scenes, this terrified group and their agitated director will suffer through a show that could end their careers.

The Outcast Players of the Historic Everett Theater are amazing. Audiences will walk away with an appreciation for how hard plays are.

Their leader is Curt Shriner who plays Lloyd the angry director. Shriner is also the manager of the Historic.

His wife Laura Shriner plays Dotty. Her character is quite ducky as a barely functioning actress playing a put-upon housekeeper.

Making his second appearance at the Historic is George Sayah who plays Garry, an actor who becomes psychotically jealous once he becomes involved with Dotty.

Making her Historic debut is Maureen Hammer who plays the ditzy actress Brooke. She spends much of the play without a dress, and puts on a great comic performance.

Ric Calhoun plays Frederick, the actor who needs a better reason to follow the directors instructions than the fact that its in the script. He doesn’t understand that less than 24 hours before opening night is not the time for rewrites.

His wife plays his co-star Flavia who tries her best to micromanage the cast behind the scenes.

The poor and depressed stage manager, Poppy, is played by Laurie Miller in her debut performance.

The nervous handyman, Tim, is played by Tom Guerre. His part is small but quite compelling as he tries to fix what can’t be repaired.

And stealing the show (and the booze) is Jim Quatier as Selsdon, the actor who plays a burglar. Long story there.

If you’re in need of a good laugh, then see this show – and do it with your friends. The show will go on with “Noises Off.” And it will keep you in stitches.

“Noises Off” is playing at the Historic Everett Theater from March 12 through March 29. For ticket information, call 425-258-7677.