Cabin of Fear
Breakthrough Theater
By Larry Stallings
Directed by Vicki Wicks
Winter Park, FL
Take away a person’s wallet, and they say bad things about you. Take away their cell phone and their heads might explode. It’s an awkward weekend for our two couples tonight: Vince (Patrick James) and Lainie (Helen J. Smith) double date with coworkers Colby (Michele Burkett) and Jack (Russell R. Trahan.) It seemed like a good idea at the time, but Jack is a bigger ass than normal. He hates board games, hates hiking in the woods, and is deeply offended by the mere existence of rural America. Vince is a little better, he like camping and board games. Plans to grill a steak are sidetracked by a flat tire and murderer on the loose. It’s a big mountain, but if no one thought they would die, what fun would that be?
A steady stream of characters drifts in: Abused Brayla (Tasha Rentas) flees a psycho husband, fabulous E.J. (Beejay Aubertin Clinton) flames in wearing his Elton John Impersonator drag, and the possibly dangerous plot point Pookie (Anthony Marando) comes in, only to disappoint the others that’s he is not in fact the guy with the gun. Accusations fly until we meet the cranky author of this play Jasper (Larry Stallings). Who dunnit? You must vote at intermission. And no, you can NOT vote for Wade Hair.
It’s silly and not intended to be scary. The show is written and played for laughs, and most of the gags land well. The cast is packed with regulars, and Mr. Auberine’s constant parade of eye ware is a slip of subversive humor. Mr. Trahan is particularly nasty, and that’s a shock as he’s one of the nicest guys in town. Ms. Smith plays the likeable peacemaker, and Mr. Stallings has a demented sense of timing that has him flipping from good to evil and from chaotic to lawful . More fun the scary, you might even be able to get a cookie if you’re good.
