Excerpts from Bob Evans’ review “Skillet Tag Knocks ’em Dead”. Skillet Tag runs until Dec 22 at the Living Room. Produced by Play On! Productions. For tickets check this out.
For an evening full of laughter and offbeat characters,
line up early and do not hesitate to buy your tickets.
This show is the real deal. Crazy characters, masterful
actors, sharp script, crisp direction, a functional
set, good sound and lighting–all create one of the
zaniest shows to grace the Kansas City stages.
Play writer Pete Bakely set the unconventional team
building exercise in Kansas City. Here, his team from a
local greeting card company meet to engage in his
newest plan to weed out a weak link and sever his or
her relationship with the parent company. No one knows
for sure whose job may be lost, but several have their
own ideas. Survival of the evening means every-man-for-himself.
…
And, undeniably, the most cherished and colorful of the
cast of suspects, Greg brings the hilarity from his
entrance onward. Coleman Crenshaw wears the character
well and his physical comedy, gestures, and facial
expressions keep the audiences laughing at him. But,
beware, by watching only him, one can easily miss the
responses he elicits from the other cast members–which
are priceless. He gives their characters a lot for
action and reaction. Still, when onstage, Crenshaw
draws the audience focus to him He’s wonderful as the
computer nerd who struggles with social settings and
personal relations.
After the first death, rightfully, the police appear.
And what would any comedy be without dysfunctional law
enforcement personnel? Suffice it to say the tandem of
Burns and Reynalds, played by Tim Alhenius and Devon
Barnes, take police parody to new heights. A non-
concerned Burns mishandles the crime scene, and when
Reynalds appears, her over-spirited reactions only
enhances the evening’s morbid terminations. Though
smaller parts, each provided integral support to the
plot and help maintain the insanity.
Overall, the show bring laughter and smiles from the
onset through the final blackout. No one knows who dies
next or how murder manifests itself. Each instance
surprises the audience. Murder never brought more
laughs. The cast reacts well to each and every line,
and each character commands the stage with his or her
antics.
…
No secret, Coleman Crenshaw’s character steals the show
in his scenes. He’s very talented with his physical
comedy and apt delivery. And when things seem to be
resolving toward an end, Devon Barnes brings new and
surprising twists to the story line. Nothing can
distract from the strength of the ensemble cast. They
enjoy the show, their characters, and their lines. The
audience sees the depth of the cast’s talent as the
story unfolds. Their interactions and physical comedy
enhance the evening.
…
If you have ever had to undergo the dreaded “team-building” process in a workplace, this show is not tobe missed. All the evil thoughts you may have had aboutthe exercise or the person who thought the whole thingup, come full circle when you see this. While you mayhave plotted someone’s demise, Skillet Tag acted outyour fantasies.
Coleman Crenshaw 