Theater Review: Bard & Fool’s ‘Adult Entertainment’ is Superb Hilarity

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CHICAGO – Regarding the civilizing effect of literary art, could it even affect a group of porn actors? “Adult Entertainment,” a hilarious comedy/drama written by the essential Elaine May, answers that question in its Chicago debut by the Bard & Fool Theater Group, at The Apollo Theater Studio space on Lincoln Avenue.

Play Rating: 5.0/5.0

The play made it’s debut in New York City in 2002. Playwright Elaine May is the iconic performer who made history with the comedy team of [Mike] Nichols and May. She went on to be a notable writer, authoring or co-authoring screenplays for “Heaven Can Wait,” “Tootsie,” “The Birdcage” and “Primary Colors.” The Chicago debut of this little-known work brings out all of the laughs, music, characterizations and joy, with a cast who understands the journey, and exhibits a deft touch on direction and choreography that emphasizes the humor and heart.

(L-R) Cassandra Clingon, Whitney Rappana, Jillian Weingart and Corey Weinberg in ‘Adult Entertainment’ Photo credit: BardandFool.org

Heidi (Whitney Rappana) is the host of “Heidi-Ho,” a cable access show that features her and her fellow porn actors answering salacious questions via a phone-in audience. As the play begins, the actors are in mourning for their recently departed producer/director Marty. His brother Guy (Ben Veatch) is there among the mourners – Vixen (Cassandra Clingon), Jimbo (Corey Weinberg) and Frosty Moons (Jillian Weingart) – and it is he that will take over the next porn epic.

The project breaks down when the cast begins to squabble, and Guy turns to Gerry (Ross Egan), a Yale film student longing to direct. He begins to break down both the cast and the script. While working on changing it from a porno into an art film, he give the actors some great works of literature and stage to reference. The change within them all become palpable, and the typical pornography narrative and lifestyle gets upended and goes highbrow.

This is the type of stage craft that is layered. As the effects of the great literature permeates the minds of the porn actors, who are not used to such perspective, the expansion of what is possible for all the characters becomes endearing – and damn funny. Because it’s also the type of show that is so absurd, with the notion of porn actors becoming effete artists, that virtually every line at some point becomes funny. The actors portraying the roles are expert at communicating the journey of those characters as well, and the transformations become just as fascinating as the story that contains them.

Ben Veatch (right) Interacts in ‘Adult Entertainment’ Photo credit: BardandFool.org

One of the slyest transformations is from Ben Veatch as Guy. His appearance in the beginning of the play is so mumbled and stiff, it is feared that he’s a bad actor. But as his character loosens up through his literary study, his viewpoint becomes a centerpiece, and Veatch later performs a beautifully poignant truth regarding his brother. Corey Weinberg makes the most in transitioning a gay porn star into sobriety and new ideas. Jillian Weingart is a revelation as Frosty Moons, affecting a squeaky sex goddess voice – part Marilyn Monroe and (ex-porn actress) Katie Morgan – and absolutely shines during the musical interludes.

Yes, there is musical numbers, clever asides that comment on the narrative. Director Doug Albers makes it part of the stage presentation (altering it from video in the New York show), and the cast of Whitney Rappana, Ross Egan, Cassandra Clingon, Weinberg, Veatch and Weingart display intuitive talent in communicating this element. Weinberg and Egan also play instruments on stage, with appropriate and expressive choreography by Nicole Bowles.

It is rare when a piece of theater craft makes clear its theme, and then rides it the entire way to redemption. The interpretation of the great Elaine May is given full bloom in this Bard & Fool version, and in the end the company follows through with the civilizing effect of a delightful, hilarious and first-rate evening of theater.

By PATRICK McDONALD Senior Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com