Maggie is playing hostess to an influential columnist, an art critic and a tycoon who wants to buy a collection of paintings by her deceased husband, Payne Showers. His sudden demise increased the value of his work exponentially. Maggie is on the brink of destitution, but if she can nail this, she’ll be out of the woods. Only she and her colleague Richard know how desperate she is, and they plan to keep it that way, till the documents are signed.
The first obstacle is the arrival of Graciela, who is pinch hitting for the bartender they hired. She’s wearing a strangely inappropriate uniform that might be for a French maid fantasy, Sophistication isn’t her strong suit. Maggie’s boyfriend Trent shows up, an insipid soap opera actor and an accident waiting to happen. The three guests arrive and the snowstorm they’ve all been navigating has trapped them at Maggie’s house together, until the next morning.
Written by Anne Flanagan, Artifice is a comedy which, clobbers Maggie for being deceptive. Hence the title. Not that anything terrible happens, other than a few heart-stopping catastrophes that turn the evening into a debacle. If something can go sideways, it will. The plot feels feasible, and the urgency appropriate. It’s not all about the jokes, Flanagan has great character development, and the script is intelligent, with some surprises along the way.
The premise is familiar, a succession of tribulations that end with contented results. Finding just right balance of upheaval, say like, The Man Who Came to Dinner or The Philadelphia Story can be difficult. Artifice seems to manage this, though it comes from a place of sheer chaos. Pleasure may not exactly prevail. Comedy as we learn time and again, requires meticulous orchestration, from casting till opening night. Even remarkable actors need great chemistry between them. Events often come fast and thick. What’s a mother to do? More than once even less than ideal material has been salvaged by reformers with exceptional comedic skills.
Rover Dramawerks has assembled a strong, dedicated cast for Artifice. Heather Walker Shin is formidable as the long-suffering Maggie, Jordan Poladnik amusing as the frantic gallery owner, Richard. Samantha Potrykus is spot-on as the colorful, worldly, Graciela, and Bennett Frohock a stitch as the vain actor, Trent. Sue Goodner rules as the eccentric, pompous journalist Judith, Kenneth Fulenwilder imposing as the personable mogul, Mick, and Laura Jennings inspired as the tortured critic, Emma. Christian R. Black is impressive as the painter, Payne Showers. Like Heather Shin, his role calls for more nuance and versatility. He is congenial, intelligent and demonstrative.
Rover Dramawerks presents Artifice, playing June 9th-25th, 2022. Cox Playhouse. 1517 H. Avenue, Plano, Texas, 75074. 972-849-0358. roverdramawerks.com