You Give Me Fever

By Broadside Corresponden Sarah Buchanan

The GMU Player’s studio production of Hay Fever was loud and in your face. The play, written by Noel Coward, is a clever comedy featuring a quirky, socially dysfunctional bohemian family of the 1920s.

Judith Bliss, the matriarch and a retired English actress longs to return to the stage, bringing drama into everyday family life and inadvertently creating an interesting situation for a gaggle of unsuspecting and unwitting guests.

During the play’s four day run last Thursday through Sunday, the premise provided drama students with the perfect opportunity to drop all reservations and indulge in their characters.

And cheese they did. Kelly Hennessy, who played Judith Bliss, kept audiences laughing with her wide vocal range and well-timed quips.

Melinda Peverall playing Sorel Bliss, moved from pose to pose like a silent era screen actor for a truly comedic effect. It was nice to see an actor finely move onstage with the quality of a dancer.

Michael Deveney, who had a memorable role in the GMU Players’ production of Sweeney Todd, played whiny Simon Bliss, who was quick to jump into the fun.

His solid acting supported the events onstage and his performance was peppered with golden moments where he owned the scene. No one has ever reenacted jumping out of a window so humorously.

While the members of the Bliss family tried to steal their own show, their poor, less loud, guests were a welcome break from the drama.

Sean Ordway played an awkward and completely stumped Sandy Tyrell. It was cute watching his character as he tried to figure out what was going on.

Kathleen Mason gave an adorable rendition of Jackie Coryton. Buffy Billone and Chris Aldrich as Myra Arundel and diplomat Richard Greatham, respectively, were assertive characters that orchestrated an eventual escape from the insanity.

The energetic movement of the actors was striking to see in a studio production. The lines were delivered enthusiastically, and there were many comedic moments.

However, the play lacked the layers and variety expected from an evening length work. The mood was consistently high and rarely ever dropped.

It was great that the play took off quickly, but it eventually became monotonous as the audience was rarely allowed to rest in a carefully placed decrescendo.

Nevertheless, the set, sound and lighting worked harmoniously with the story.

“[Hay Fever] was a nice piece to work on because the collaboration was so good,” said Hennessy.

Even through their final tech week, added Hennessy, sound designer Aaron Fisher was still trying out ideas.

His music choices were divine, and strategically placed chimes allowed for the actors to periodically bow to the audience after a clever line.

The lighting also supported the diva-esque moments by the Bliss family.

Stylish as ever, scenic designer Sarah Emory created a two story bohemian set complete with fabric wall coverings and Persian carpets.

Ryan Allen’s flapper costumes felt right at home with the design. Emory also added metaphor to the mix with lush proscenium curtains and old-fashioned floor lights that lined the edge of the stage.

The Bliss family’s house was their own outlet for their imagination, acting and drama.

The Players are currently working on putting together their next production, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, written by Stephen Adly Guirgis.

The play tells the story of Judas, who is in purgatory and must call upon his lawyers to get him into heaven.

The GMU Players will perform The Last Days of Judas Iscariot Feb. 26 through March 1 in Harris Theatre.

For more information visit www.gmu.edu/departments/theater/performances.html.