Posted November 2, 2006
By Warren Gerds
Venture Theatre likes to use the phrase “world premiere” for its new plays, which its rolls out with regularity.
The latest is “The Brothers Plank,” a two-act comedy by Mike Eserkaln of the company. Six weekends of performances start Friday.
“The play opens with a woman on stage with a knife in her back and the words ‘Happy Birthday,’ ” said director Gary Radke. “Absurdity ensues.”
This is a case for the “slightly British” crime solvers Thelonious and Reginald Plank. The show involves their exploits, their dying mother, a habitually suicidal assistant and a big boat.
The cast features former Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus clowns Tim Miller and Mike Lorenz as the brothers. Joining are Venture Theatre and ComedyCity regulars Peter Blavat, Peggy Eserkaln, Joe Abrahamson and Kristen Abrahamson.
“Directing is always exciting, but working with a new play adds another layer of challenge,” Radke said. “The cast becomes part of the writing process because until you really see the words come to life, you don’t fully have a feel for what works and what doesn’t.”
Mike Eserkaln has written other plays. He also acts and directs for Venture Theatre and is wholly involved with ComedyCity. He’s a co-owner of both ventures.
“Mike has been involved in rehearsals, tweaking and rewriting where necessary,” Radke said. “Fortunately, everyone in the cast has improv training, because this process has kept us on our toes from day to day.”
Venture Theatre produces all original shows, some of which have special sound, music and animation effects.
“We’ve gone a little more traditional with this staging, and we’re letting the lines and actors carry the story,” Radke said.
