There is a saying that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Come this weekend, Humphrey Bogart, Jane Greer, Robert Mitchum and all the other icons of film noir should be flattered.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Mike DeForrest stars as Jake Chapel, a private eye in Harlequin Production's performance of “Dead Men Don't Itch.”
Mike DeForrest stars as Jake Chapel, a private eye in Harlequin Production's performance of “Dead Men Don't Itch.”
On Friday, Cayuga County College's Harlequin Productions will stage a world premier of “Dead Men Don't Itch.” The comedy show, written by John Anco, parodies the classics of the noir genre, which is famous for its hard-boiled detective stories featuring cynical private investigators, glamorous femme fatales and slimy villains.
Bob Frame, who is directing and producing the show, said that Harlequin Productions often premiers unpublished and newly published plays to keep things on the “cutting edge.” Part of the reason he chose the play was because audiences don't have to have ever seen a noir movie or read a noir novel to enjoy it. But Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett fans will be able to pick out plenty of references.
“It is a very punny script,” Frame said, making a pun himself. “You don't have to know the genre to enjoy it, but there are also lots of references to ‘Casablanca,' ‘To Have and Have Not' and ‘The Maltese Falcon.'”
The play is about a tough guy private investigator named Jake Chapel, who has to navigate his way through crooked cops, nasty gangsters and seductive vixens while he investigates a missing jade statue.
Frame said this is one of the more accessible plays the group has produced, as the sight gags and physical comedy make it a fun experience.
Playwright John Anco will be present at Friday's show to see his play for the first time.
However accessible, “Dead Men Don't Itch” is not a simple play to produce, Frame said. The 14-person cast features a number of Harlequin Productions veterans, as well as some fresh faces.
Because the play is spoofing such a stylized genre, which relies on lighting and camera angles to set the atmosphere, the mix of old and new faces has offered some challenges, he said.
“A lot of the people I have on stage are relatively inexperienced,” Frame said. “It can be challenging just trying to get the style down - the way the women acted and the way the men had to be the tough guys. And elements like the lights and costumes and sound are very important to the look and feel of the genre.”
But the same things that make this production challenging have been quite rewarding, Frame said.
“For me, the most enjoyable part has been teaching that style and seeing that moment when they get it,” he said. “It just clicks for them.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go
What: “Dead Men Don't Itch”
When: 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, March 6 to 8 and March 13 to 15
Where: Irene A. Bisgrove Community Theater at Cayuga Community College, Franklin Street, Auburn
How much: $5 general admission, $1 for CCC students with ID; tickets available at the door
Info: Call 255-1743
Bob Frame, who is directing and producing the show, said that Harlequin Productions often premiers unpublished and newly published plays to keep things on the “cutting edge.” Part of the reason he chose the play was because audiences don't have to have ever seen a noir movie or read a noir novel to enjoy it. But Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett fans will be able to pick out plenty of references.
“It is a very punny script,” Frame said, making a pun himself. “You don't have to know the genre to enjoy it, but there are also lots of references to ‘Casablanca,' ‘To Have and Have Not' and ‘The Maltese Falcon.'”
The play is about a tough guy private investigator named Jake Chapel, who has to navigate his way through crooked cops, nasty gangsters and seductive vixens while he investigates a missing jade statue.
Frame said this is one of the more accessible plays the group has produced, as the sight gags and physical comedy make it a fun experience.
Playwright John Anco will be present at Friday's show to see his play for the first time.
However accessible, “Dead Men Don't Itch” is not a simple play to produce, Frame said. The 14-person cast features a number of Harlequin Productions veterans, as well as some fresh faces.
Because the play is spoofing such a stylized genre, which relies on lighting and camera angles to set the atmosphere, the mix of old and new faces has offered some challenges, he said.
“A lot of the people I have on stage are relatively inexperienced,” Frame said. “It can be challenging just trying to get the style down - the way the women acted and the way the men had to be the tough guys. And elements like the lights and costumes and sound are very important to the look and feel of the genre.”
But the same things that make this production challenging have been quite rewarding, Frame said.
“For me, the most enjoyable part has been teaching that style and seeing that moment when they get it,” he said. “It just clicks for them.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go
What: “Dead Men Don't Itch”
When: 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, March 6 to 8 and March 13 to 15
Where: Irene A. Bisgrove Community Theater at Cayuga Community College, Franklin Street, Auburn
How much: $5 general admission, $1 for CCC students with ID; tickets available at the door
Info: Call 255-1743
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