The Dingdong
The Pearl Theatre Company presents the world premiere of a comedy celebrating romance, lust, and the magic of the theatre.
... Read moreVatelin is a faithful husband—mostly. Lucy is a faithful wife—kind of. And their 'fidelity' is about to be put to the test when a series of suitors and femme fatales invade their little world. Following the misadventures of one madcap night in a Paris hotel, this farce takes place in a world where opening the wrong door in the dark of night can lead to mayhem, laughter, and, maybe, a few truths about how to have a happy marriage. Playwright Mark Shanahan was inspired by Georges Feydeau's classic 'Le Dindon.'
- Official Site
- 2 hours and 10 minutes
- Already closed
- The Pearl Theatre Company / Peter Norton Space (Midtown W)
Cast & Creatives (12)
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Reviews (95)
9 Critics' Reviews
“Occasionally hilarious and mostly harmless...Under Hal Brooks’s direction, there’s little emotional center, and the precision of the pacing comes and goes. With all the one-liners and quick changes and frothy lingerie and funny accents, however, you might not notice...However lascivious in its come-ons and varied in its penis jokes, ‘The Dingdong’ is ultimately conservative in its conclusions: a tease of a play.” Full Review
"The farce spectrum can veer from crude to exquisite. Mark Shanahan tends to favor the lower depths: lots of puerile wink-wink wordplay and pratfalls both sexual and scatological...In casting ill-matched repertory members d’un certain age, director Hal Brooks blunts the spirit of the original...The stage sizzles to life every time Curran turns up...She embodies what we bourgeois theatergoers rather hope to see when attending a French farce." Full Review
"'The Dingdong' is passable fun, providing a solid laugh for every two or three that fall flat. It's also easy to admire the cast as everyone goes through his or her paces, switching costumes and characters with abandon. But this is Exhibit A in the argument that light entertainment can be even more challenging than the most serious drama. The characters in 'The Dingdong' suffer from a lack of discretion; you could say the same thing about the people behind this production." Full Review
"The play's inherent funniness is stomped on by Brooks’s heavy-handed direction and the company’s frequent overacting. High energy is all well and good for playing farce, but there must be total conviction in the truth of each action...I’m afraid the Pearl’s production, apart from the delectable cranberry sauce and stuffing of Kelley Curran’s comical versatility, veers too closely to the actual meaning of ‘Le Dindon,’ i.e., the turkey." Full Review
"Much of the fun of the play is seeing the same actors return over and over again in different roles often within a matter of seconds...While Brooks’ staging is stylish and elegant. The problem becomes that the stakes are not very high, and consequently we don’t worry or care enough about the possible tragedies for the characters if and when they are discovered...However, the rest of the production team is right on target." Full Review
"A first-rate farce…The ‘DingDong’ plays fast and loose and is often ferociously funny and somewhat surreal…Excellently directed by Hal Brooks…The Pearl Theatre Company of actors is highly skilled with the requirements of farce: facility with speed of dialogue and emotional changes, physical dexterity, and a balanced, light and yet authentic attention to characterization." Full Review
“Director Hal Brooks unbridles five actors in ‘The Dingdong’...He propels it even further into the absurd by having those five actors bring to charming, boisterous and nuanced life 12 distinct characters...George Feydeau is one of the most famous writers of bedroom farce, and Mark Shanahan’s adaptation is a remarkable homage. Witty banter, along with exaggerated physicality, are at the heart of 'The Dingdong.' Even the most pursed lip might be cajoled to laugh out loud.” Full Review
"Hal Brooks’ direction is impeccable…But the great fun here is in watching this talented cast double and triple up on roles…And then, there is Kelley Curran! This brunette bombshell essays four different parts with the kind of comedic élan that made Carole Lombard a legend. Trust me, funny and sexy isn’t an easy thing to pull off. Ms. Curran makes it look like a day at the beach on Cannes. Vive La Kelley!" Full Review
"I went in expecting a fun farce and The Pearl delivered. 'The Dingdong' is true to form and well executed. Technically this show does everything right; the blocking is great, the pacing on point...However, even though the show hits its mark, it lacks the danger and emotional stakes that would made it thrilling. But don’t worry, the brilliance of the text, snazzy costume changes, and slapstick humor makes 'The Dingdong' a lovely night out." Full Review
86 Members' Reviews
See it if a fast passed showed about a man carry on an adulteress affair in a hotel setting with his wife there will be entertaining for you
Don't see it if if you cannot keep up with fast moving acts
See it if You're in the mood for some light farce.
Don't see it if Your sensibilities are easily offended by low-budget, shabby sets.
See it if you just want something silly, and you're not expecting much.
Don't see it if you're a hard critic and notice small details that have yet to be cleaned up.
See it if you enjoy classic farce with lots of doors opening and closing
Don't see it if farce is not your cup of tea
See it if You love a good romp in Paris hotel rooms and a good laugh out loud sex farce.
Don't see it if You don't like absurd and silly play and sexual innuendos. This is not a drama.
See it if You like silly French farces. Enjoy low budget productions,enthusiastic actors,a versatile hillarious young actress -sit back and enjoy
Don't see it if You expect top quality sets and spectacular sound effects.
See it if You're looking for an entertaining fast paced show with great costumes/sets and terrific comedic performances (w/one poor casting exception)
Don't see it if You like your non-stop one-liners and physical comedy in bite size half hour sitcom chunks The silliness gets a little tiring after a while.
See it if you like farce. A lot of different parts with few actors. They manage to keep things straight. Generally good fun.
Don't see it if don't like sex comedies. Plays with foreign accents that could be a bit better.
See it if you enjoy madcap farces in the spirit of Noises Off. And you enjoy slamming doors & excellent timing! & fake moustaches!
Don't see it if you are in the mood for a serious, thoughty drama.
See it if you need to unstressed with light entertainment, and a spectacularly staged play. The 4 actors switch characters at the speed of light
Don't see it if you like only thought provoking theater.
See it if you're in the mood for something that doesn't make you think. It's light-hearted and amusing, but at times felt a little amateur.
Don't see it if you want a show with substance. this is 100% farcical. I felt the production quality was also slightly lacking.
See it if You appreciate a game, really hard working cast give their all.
Don't see it if You expect a farce to offer more than a few laughs.
See it if You like comedy about infidelity, you want to revel in the character-revealing costumes
Don't see it if you don't find a man constantly propositioning a woman who doesn't want it funny; you're looking for "smart" humor.
See it if you really, really like farces. Some good performances but overall it fell flat.
Don't see it if you are looking for a profound theatrical experience.
See it if You enjoy well-done farce, somewhat raunchy humor, and the comedy of actors playing multiple roles very well.
Don't see it if You want something serious, or just don't appreciate traditional farces (lovers, multiple rooms, mistaken identity, etc.)
See it if you love farces and want mindless silly humor with decent acting and enjoy small space theatre with comfortable seats
Don't see it if you hate farces, want theatre with substance and are bothered by shabby low budget staging
See it if you want a diverting but unexceptional evening of theatre, with a fantastic performance.
Don't see it if you are a stickler about farce, expect non-stop laughs, have problems with crude jokes.
See it if You enjoy off-off-Broadway/community theatre. Want to be entertained by a fluffy comedy. Second act is better than the first.
Don't see it if You want something profound. Acting abilities of the cast are variable. Ps. The maitinee audience was not as energetic as the show deserved.
See it if You want something light, fun, and entertaining. The cast and all their characters and quick changes are impressive!
Don't see it if You are picky about your theatre or need epic. This is not 'the best' of anything. It's just a big of fun.
See it if you enjoy farces - including door slamming and sexual innuendos. People were laughing, just not me
Don't see it if you hate farces. If flimsy set design bothers you (ie seeing the walls shake, scuff marks remnants of hinges of past shows)
See it if You enjoy silly slap-stick type comedy. Marital infidelity with partners who just happen to be ...... Far too convenient. Not funny.
Don't see it if You enjoy real comedy, not this contrived trash. Reminded me of a PG 16 performance of the 3 stooges.
See it if Classic French farce at its best is your cup of tea! Great fun all around; the cast shine in multiple roles & there is never a dull moment.
Don't see it if Youd like to watch a somber play or slower and less broad comedy.
See it if I didn't hate it but I can't really find a single reason to recommend--there are much better ways to spend time/money on theater experiences
Don't see it if It's just a lot of silly slapstick with a contrived and lame plot about infidelity and revenge sex
See it if You like madcap silliness.
Don't see it if You are prudish and are offended by plays with sexual overtones
See it if you like boulevard farce Americanized with a cast of 5 each playing multiple roles, lots of laughs, & hope filled resolution at the end
Don't see it if you can't find the ridiculous in everyday marital problems, or don't like seeing actors in period underwear