“There’s A Girl In My Soup” by Jeff Brody

[rating=3]When it comes to diversion, senseless comedies are the perfect way of forgetting what is going on in our lives. The Metropolis Performing Arts Center, located in Downtown Arlington Heights has just the right formula for doing this with their current production of “There’s A Girl In My Soup”. Many may recall the film version of this farce starring Peter Sellers back in the 1970’s, but now, you have the chance to see it LIVE in the intimate theater at Metropolis. Directed by David Belew, this is the story about Robert Danvers ( deftly handled by Russell Alan Rowe), a well known chef whose reputation as a womanizer is almost as strong as his skills as a chef, is living every male’s dream life. He invites beautiful women to his apartment where they can explore the full compliment of his perfection. His doorman, John ( Chuck Sisson) aids him in keeping his visits quiet. Each encounter is a one night stand with all parties being satisfied.

All is smooth as silk, until one night, at a party, Robert meets  Marion ( the lovely Shanna Brown) at a party and invites her back to his apartment. Marion is a free spirit and has her own agenda- she is flirty and somewhat irrisistable. She is one that is unlike all the others who have made this trip in the past and truly keeps him on his toes. As the evening progresses, Robert  and Marion are visited by  Robert’s friend, Andrew ( Collin Wasmund) who adds some comic touches to this very different evening and then Jimmy (Sean Walsh), who is Marion’s boyfriend adding some extra comic touches to an already madcap situation. As in most farces, the action is tightly paced with things not always being what they appear to be, but one thing is for sure, laughter fills the theater in this clever look at how men and women handle their lives.

The set (Scott Sumerik and Joe Mohamed) is a deluxe apartment and shows that even the smaller theater companies with imagination can create a treat for the eys that works to bring a touch of realism to a play. The Metropolis is a smaller theater that has great sight lines for all and very comfortable seating. This is a fun , adult, farce that is worth the trip to Arlington Heights for. “Girl” will continue through February 23rd with performances on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.,Fridays at 8 p.m.,Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. 

Tickets range from  $40-$44 and are available at the theater box office, 111 West Campbell Street, by phone at 847-577-2121 or online at www.MetropolisArts.com

There is plenty of FREE parking on the streets and the garage behind the theater. There are also many affordable dining options in walking distance from the Metropolis.

To learn what others thing, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to review round-up and click at “There’s a Girl In My Soup”