Uncle Roscoe delivers the magic
Nearly Stellar show a hoot
by Christopher Key
One thing you can count on with any show produced by Nearly Stellar Entertainment: the cast will have at least as much fun as the audience. That, in itself, makes The Importance of Being Uncle Roscoe a real treat for audiences. The fact that they manage to deliver dead-on performances while having all that fun makes it a win/win situation.
This the 23rd production staged by Nearly Stellar, formed several years ago by Earl Reid and Sally Lubetich. They have matured into a solid semi-professional company that manages to entertain at many assisted living facilities, put on a few public performances and still pay their actors and crew. You can take my word for it that such companies are a rarity anywhere.
Nearly Stellar has produced several scripts written by Pat Cook, but this is undoubtedly the funniest, from beginning to end. The whole idea of a con man taking refuge from the police in a working class home during the holiday season is ridiculous to start with. This cast fearlessly takes the idea and runs with it right over the top.
Director Earl Reid plays Dexter Holly, the diminutive and fast-talking con artist, with a twinkle in the eye that instantly convinces the Kendall family that he is their beloved Uncle Roscoe. The punch line for that joke appears later in the show when the real Uncle Roscoe, played by the imposing Ken Wirth, barely fits through the front door.
It's easy to see how Dexter Holly, played by Earl Reid, could impersonate Uncle Roscoe, played by Ken Wirth.
Alan Birdsall is at his goofy best as Dexter’s sidekick, Kenny. Speaking of goofy, the Kendall family is as dysfunctional a bunch as has ever put a gleam in a shrink’s eye. Bull Goose Loony of the lot is the ditzy Sally Lubetich as the Mom and the perfectly befuddled Sandy Brewer as the Dad.
Making her debut with Nearly Stellar, Angela Bates delivers a riveting performance as the sullen daughter Mindy. Kat Manley portrays the other Kendall daughter, Charlene, with the confidence that would be expected given her heritage. Kat’s real-life Mom, Deb Manley plays the skeptical family friend Gladys Muldoon with typical verve.
But wait! There’s more nepotistic nonsense with Linda Telfer playing family friend Agnes Hempstead, a performance that gives life to the old saying, “…the lights are on, but nobody’s home.” Linda’s real-life son, Rossner Gideon, plays Charlene’s football-obsessed boyfriend Horton. Got that straight? There will be a quiz later.
Rounding out the cast is the luminous Shannon Murray as a television anchorwoman who will make you squirm with instant recognition. Her cameraman Hank is played by an actor who chooses to remain anonymous, but looks and sounds suspiciously familiar.
Forget the sugar plums, The Importance of Being Uncle Roscoe is a holiday confection that will have you howling with laughter and groaning at atrocious puns. The ubiquitous Ms. Lubetich shares credit for the costumes with Linda Priddy and Wanda Sisco womans the light board.
The Importance of Being Uncle Roscoe plays December 5 & 6 at 7:30 p.m. and December 7 at 1:00 p.m. All performances are in the Atlantis Room of the Quality Inn at 100 East Kellogg (next to the Olive Garden). Tickets are $10 at the door and that includes dessert. Call (360) 303-4036 for further information.
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