Black Comedy' won't leave you in the dark for long

The theme of Black Comedy, a farcical play to be performed under the direction of Megan Keifer this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Balch Arena Theatre _ as its title suggests _ is all about clashes.

First there is the clash between classes: an unlikely relationship between Carol (Jessica Fisch), high class snob and debutante, and sculptor Brinsley (Taylor Shann). The play centers on the crucial and ever ominous first-meeting between father and potential son-in-law, the latter of which is extra anxious because Carol's father is an American Colonel (played by Alex Sherman). Also coming to the dinner is a millionaire by the name of James Foster-Keddie, a prospective costumer of Brinsley's who is coming to examine his sculptures. Needless to say, it is an evening that could make Brinsley's life, both personally and financially. He and Carol prepare to impress her father by "borrowing" the furniture from an antique-dealer named Harold (Robert Curry) who lives next door and is away in Hartford for the weekend.

But, as this is a farce, the odds are not on Brinsley's side. Just as the Colonel and the millionaire arrive, the power in the building goes out and the apartment is plunged into darkness. As the frazzled host and hostess try to remain graceful, they hear the greeting voices of their neighbors who have unexpectedly returned home from their weekend getaway. The play swirls rapidly into absurd mayhem as the couple tries to distract Miss Furnival (Regan Cerato) and an early-returning Harold from Harold's furniture-less apartment; fumble their way in the dark with the help of an unsuspecting German electrician (Armen Nercessian); and still appear graceful before two customers with very tall orders. The last straw is when Clea (Mel Holdman), an ex-girlfriend of Brinsley's whose attendance is even more terrifying than that of the neighbors, unexpectedly arrives on the scene.

The play features a cast of both new and veteran actors. Directed by Keifer and stage managed by freshman Greg Fujita, the play spans all years at Tufts as well as all levels of acting experience. Despite the varying experience, the actors spoke favorably about their experience making the show.

Fisch, who plays Carol, says her favorite part was "fumbling around in the dark." When asked why should audiences come see Black Comedy, Fisch employs the ever-vague but ever-tantalizing, "It's like nothing you've ever seen before."

Fujita admits he was a little intimidated at first being a freshman, but because of the help he received the process was enjoyable. "We've only had five weeks from auditions, and in that five weeks, I've never seen a cast bond so quickly," he said. "And even though I was a stage manager I felt like a member of the cast."

About the show, Fujita says it is hilarious. "I've seen it about thirty times and I'm still cracking up each time," he said.

Nercessian agrees that the show is tremendously funny. "It's ridiculous," he said. "There are two Germans, a gay guy, a bohemian, a Colonel, a debutante and a partridge in a pear tree."