Room Service is presented by The Group Rep. Written by John Murray and Allen Boretz. Directed by Mareli Mitchel-Shields. Produced by Kathleen R. Delaney for The Group Rep.
it’s 1937 in New York and Joseph Gribble (Tommy Jacobs) tells theatre producer Gordon Miller (Will Maizel) that he needs to pay a $1,200 bill for his stay at the White Way Hotel, or else, he will be evicted from the hotel together with his troupe of actors. To complicate things, Leo Davis (Timothy Willard), the young playwright of Godspeed, comes to New York to join them and get an advance. Unbeknownst to Davis, Miller is broke without a financial backer to produce his play.
Room Service is a script with plenty of punch lines and physical comedy to allow the actors to shine. Mareli Mitchel-Shields directs an ambitious production with a stellar cast that gives new life to a screwball comedy from the Art Deco era. Each character is a building block to achieve conflict and comedy to create chaotic situations with witty dialogue and fast paced action. Joe Eastburn is a terrific actor with an imposing stage presence. He combines perfectly the eccentricity and hilarity of Gregory Wagner, the supervising director of the White Way Hotel.
The meet cute scene between Leo and Hilda Manney (Jessica Kent, Harold and Maude) is also a highlight in the play, bringing whimsiness and romanticism to one of the subplots of the story. As time runs out for Miller and his group to come up with the money to pay the hotel bill and produce the play, the tension builds up and forces the troupe to devise creative and delusional solutions.
Chris Winfield (Set Design) does a remarkable job recreating the Art Deco style of the 1930s, taking us back to the slapstick comedies of the Golden Age of Hollywood. As a treat, there are characters that sing during the intermissions, adding a special touch to this production.
Room Service delivers a hilarious and dynamic story with exceptional acting, costumes, and scene design to continue The Group Rep’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Room Service
Lonny Chapman Theatre – Main Stage (First Floor)
10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood 91601
September 8 – October 15, 2023
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm. Sundays at 2:00pm.
Tickets: thegrouprep.com
Written by John Murray and Allen Boretz. Directed by Mareli Mitchel-Shields. Produced by Kathleen R. Delaney for The Group Rep. Cast: Fox Carney, Joe Clabby, Joseph Eastburn, Tommy Jacobs, Jessica Kent, Sam Logan, Will Maizel, Matthew McLaughlin, Jackie Shearn, Bonnie Snyder, Axel Truitt, Sal Valletta, Grant Velarde, Timothy Willard, and Chris Winfield. Creative team: Chris Winfield (Set Design), Frank McKown (Lighting Design), Aylah Robinson (Costume Design), Reid Woodbury, Jr. (Sound Design), and Paul Cady (Music Director).
