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PowPAC closes season with hilarious comedy

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PowPAC is closing its 2015-16 season with “Bedside Manners,” a hilarious comedy showing what happens when spouses pick the same out-of-the-way country hotel to have affairs.

It is a comedy — playing through June 5 — that you won’t want to miss since its sequel, “Funny Business,” will open PowPAC’s 2016-17 season in July. That show will revolve around the same substitute innkeeper, Ferris (played by PowPAC veteran Tyler Richards Hewes), who in “Bedside Manners” is filling in for his vacationing sister.

During Ferris’ first turn at innkeeper, he encounters Roger, Sally, Geoff and Helen — two couples with plans for romantic rendezvous with people who are not their spouses.

The men — Roger and Geoff, played respectively by PowPAC veterans William Parker Shore and Tamaz Bolkvadze — tell Ferris they are expecting a “beautiful” female companion that evening, who will ask for them under the name of “Mr. Smith.” Right then it is clear this is not going to be the smooth and enjoyable night the men have envisioned. Roger seems quite at ease with his infidelity while Geoff is very nervous, as this is his first time cheating on his wife.

It is up to Ferris to send the correct woman to the right “Mr. Smith” and at first, all appears as if it will go OK when Sally (PowPAC vet Lucinda Moaney) correctly guesses which room she should go to after Ferris describes the two Mr. Smiths to her. That makes it easy for Ferris when Helen (PowPAC newcomer Amy Stanley) arrives asking for her Mr. Smith.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a British farce without things unraveling quickly, which they do when Roger and Helen encounter each other a little while later in the lobby. The spouses have to quickly come up with excuses for why they are both at this hotel — which they learned about through their church bulletin. Ferris witnesses their encounter, finds the situation to be enormously funny and sees how lucrative it can be for him since he must be constantly bribed to keep their secret plans from each other.

The play’s twists and turns provided numerous funny moments that had its opening night audience laughing frequently. All five actors did well in their roles, never breaking character when the plot got increasingly absurd as it progressed with romantic hurdles and physical comedy in abundance.

There were even more surprises in store not only for the characters, but the audience too, in Act II due to more revelations about the couples. Despite the show’s subject matter, it is actually a quite tame show that is appropriate for teens and adults.

Director Brent A. Stringfield — who is also PowPAC’s artistic director — did a good job in bringing all the components together. Kudos are due to the volunteers on the construction team — Joel Colbourn, Jeff Courtney, Katie McNabb, Luke Rankin and Lynn Wolsey — plus all who helped them in creating multiple rooms on the theater’s tiny stage. Once again, they did amazing work.

“Bedside Manners” can be seen at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays through June 5 at PowPAC, Poway’s Community Theatre. Tickets are $22 for general admission and $20 for students, seniors and active duty military. Purchase online at PowPAC.org or by contacting the box office at 858-679-8085 or boxoffice@powpac.org.

PowPAC is located on the second floor of the Lively Center, 13250 Poway Road in Poway. It can be accessed via a front staircase or elevator behind the building.

Parking is free.

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