Review: 'Lie Cheat and Genuflect' a Zany Screwball Delight

"Lie Cheat and Genuflect," now being performed at the Arctic Playhouse, is without a doubt, the funniest show I have seen in a long time. It is a zany screwball comedy complete with pratfalls, mistaken identities, and lots of lying, cheating, and genuflecting.

Jeffrey Massery and Nishan Lawton play the Buckle brothers, Billy and Tom.

Tom, a compulsive gambler, has spent all of Billy's money at the race track and owes a huge sum of money to loan shark "Pizza Face" Petrillo (Ed Carusi). Tom tells a nervous Billy that if they don't pay back the money in 24 hours, they will die.

The pair's elderly grandfather has recently passed. Tom hatches a plan: they will kidnap their cousin and stash her in the closet while the will is read. That way they can collect her share of the inheritance and pay back Pizza Face.

It doesn't take long before Tom's plan goes disastrously awry. The brothers have to deal with the machinations of a wily attorney named Fryburger (Brian Lamothe) and a mystery woman (Eileen Gorataya), who knows more than they think.

Admittedly, the story cooked up by writers Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore is pretty absurd. But that's a strength in this case, not a weakness, because these aren't people, they're larger-than-life cartoons. Director Tony Annicone ("Murder at the Howard Johnsons") understands that, and milks the silly premise for all its
worth.

Even more importantly, the actors put their all into this production.
Massery is a blast as the hapless Billy, who claims to have never done anything illegal in his life and is used as a lackey by his brother. Massery and Lawton, a newcomer to the Arctic stage, are convincing as brothers, and play off of each other perfectly. Both actors are also skilled at slapstick. Billy ends up being temporarily paralyzed by a shot of novocaine and later impersonates a nun. There's a well-choreographed moment when the brothers toss a baby (actually a
doll) around like a football. It's so perfectly timed that it's a delight to watch.

Sandi Nicastro is wickedly over the top as Virginia, the boozy, lusty housekeeper. Sporting a blonde wig, a too short dress, and gaudy red shoes, she gives a comic masterpiece of a performance. Rose Racine ("Miracle on 34th Street") also shines as a woman who stumbles
upon the Buckle manor and winds up tied and gagged in the closet. Camille Terilli ("Lost in Yonkers") is amusing as Pizza Face's brainless but sexy fiancée, Miss Makintosh.

The set design by Lloyd Felix and Jim Belanger is terrific as always, with sharp attention to detail.

"Lie Cheat and Genuflect" isn't a perfect show. The story goes on a bit too long, and not all of the gags work, but there are enough big laughs here to send even the most uptight audience member home with a smile.

"Lie Cheat and Genuflect" runs through April 10. The Arctic Playhouse, 1249 Main Street, West Warwick, RI. Masks are optional. No proof of vaccination required. For tickets, call 401-573-3443 or visit thearcticplayhouse.com.