It’s Only a Play is a Hilarious Love Letter to the Theater World at Park Square Theatre

I’d like to be able to say that the cast is the sole reason to see It’s Only a Play, part of Park Square Theatre’s 50-year celebration season. But that’s only one of the reasons. There’s also the elegant set design by Benjamin Olsen, the creative and sharply staged direction by Stephen DiMenna, and of course the knowingly hilarious script by Terrence McNally. It feels unfair to other shows that this one gets everything right.

The play is set in the bedroom of Broadway producer Julia Budder’s townhouse on the opening night of her first solo production. Downstairs, a party is in full swing, while upstairs a group of those involved with the play, including their friends, the help, and even a critic await the reviews. It’s filled with inside jokes for theater and pop culture fans, but the humor feels universal enough that you don’t have to be a theater nerd to enjoy it.

The cast is so strong that rather than use a more dynamic production photo, I wanted to highlight one from the curtain call featuring the entire ensemble. They’re all excellent, though I can only single out a few. Jim Lichtscheidl takes on the largest role as James Wicker, the playwright’s best friend and an actor who turned down the male lead. Not because of his TV series, as he claims, but because he suspects the show is a flop. Lichtscheidl is a master of nonverbal communication, and his body language and facial expressions add immeasurably to the character.

Sally Wingert is fascinating as Virginia Noyes, the Hollywood actress returning to the stage because no one in film will hire her anymore. It’s a role that gives her plenty of funny lines, but like Lichtscheidl, she leans into physical comedy to terrific effect.

It’s also wonderful to see Daniel Petzold back at Park Square, where I first took note of him in Airness a few years ago. His turn as the British Director Sir Frank Finger, who cannot seem to get a bad review no matter how hard he tries, reminds us why we noticed him in the first place. Hopefully, between the Guthrie and Park Square, we can keep him busy enough to prevent him from being lured away too often.

The rest of the cast is equally strong. Warren Bowles, as theater critic Ira Drew, plays the role perfectly and I can relate to his pain. Nobody likes the critic.

With such a smart script and a comedically skilled cast, It’s Only a Play makes for a terrific night at the theater. It runs through October 19th at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit parksquaretheatre.org.

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