Buffalo Theatre Ensemble opens 2026 with 'Unnecessary Farce'

Paul Slade Smith's award-winning stage comedy “Unnecessary Farce” runs at the McAninch Arts Center now through March 1.

Photo: L-R Laura Leonardo Ownby, Brad Lawrence, Bryan Burke and Lisa Dawn. Photo by Rex Harris Photography

One way to forget about cold temperatures, snow, bad traffic, stress and problems is to attend a hilarious play called “Unnecessary Farce” presented by Buffalo Theatre Ensemble. Two hours of laughter, fun and joy are guaranteed. Directed by BTE Ensemble Member Kurt Naebig and written by Paul Slade Smith, this captivating play runs through Sunday, March 1 at McAninch Arts Center located on the grounds of College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.

“Unnecessary Farce” premiered at the BoarsHead Theater in Lansing, Michigan in 2006 under the direction of Kristine Thatcher. Since then, this play has been produced more than 350 times throughout the U.S., in Great Britain, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Switzerland, Iceland, and Canada.

What makes it special for Buffalo Theatre Ensemble is that the playwright, Paul Slade Smith, has a connection with this theatre. Being a writer and actor based in Brooklyn, N.Y., Paul appeared as part of BTE in the dual roles of Victor-Emanuel Chandebise and Poche both in the 1993 world premiere and the 1996 revival of “Hotel D’amour,” a musical based on Georges Feydeau’s “A Flea in Her Ear.” It’s also his second work performed by this theatre.

The first one was “The Outsider,” which opened BTE’s 2024-2025 season and was directed by Naebig. “I had a blast directing ‘The Outsider’ so I am really looking forward to working on this play,” said Naebig. “Paul is an internationally acclaimed playwright with a spot-on sense of what’s funny. Given his early career as an actor and performing with BTE, it’s as if he is already attuned to our wavelength and vice versa before the rehearsal process has begun. The play requires a cast with perfect comedic timing. We definitely have that cast, and BTE has a long history of strong performances of farce.  Audiences are in for a wild and crazy ride.”

Photo: Bryan Burke and Laura Leonardo Ownby. Photo by Joel Maisonet

What makes this play so funny and exciting? Well, let’s start with the fact that there is a young lady who is an accountant and who ends up being in awkward and not always appropriate situations. There is also a pair of inept police officers who set up a sting operation to trap an embezzling mayor meeting that young accountant in a pair of matching hotel rooms. Yes, it’s a strange start, but it gets even more chaotic and funny with doors slamming, clothes flying, bagpipes bleating and lots of donuts. Oh yes, and all that is being secretly recorded! There is also a hitman who likes music, wears a kilt and has a heavy accent. But who took the money? That’s an interesting question.

These absurd situations and an intriguing plot require a talented ensemble, and Buffalo Theatre Ensemble has a great cast. The cast features Bryan Burke (Agent Frank), Lisa Dawn (Karen Brown), Doreen Dawson (Mary Meekly), Brad Lawrence (Eric Sheridan), Frank Nall (Mayor Meekly) and Laura Leonardo Ownby (Billie Dwyer). At the performance I attended, the role of Todd, usually portrayed by Rob Koon, was played by his understudy, David Scott Crawford.

Each of the BTE actors played their role in a brilliant manner and seemed to be the best fit for it. That’s another great skill possessed by actor and director Naebig, who knows the personality of each of the actors and their strong sides and characteristics. The actors literally lived on the stage. The play has lots of chaos, comic situations, and sometimes even scenes and phrases that are on the edge, the actors performed brilliantly and did their main job – to entertain, amaze, and impress their audience.

All that wouldn’t be possible without an amazing design team that includes Sarah Lewis (Scenic Design), Aly Greaves Amidei (Costume Design), Garrett Bell (Lighting Design), Christopher Kriz (Composer and Sound Design), and Kimberly Morris (Properties Design). An incredible job by Stage Manager Caitlin I. Quinn, Assistant Stage Manager Chris Yee, Managing Artistic Director Gus Menary, Associate Artistic Director Daniel Millhouse, Violence and Intimacy Director Jay Donley, and student ASM (BTE Scholar) Morgan Erickson added to the success of the play.

So, next time when you are stuck in traffic, the temperature outside is low, and the snow is blowing, think about Buffalo Theatre Ensemble and “Unnecessary Farce,” and it will warm up your heart and make you smile. The only thing that will be left to do is to get your tickets.

Tickets are $45. For tickets or more information please call 630-942-4000 or visit https://atthemac.org/events/unnecessary-farce/.  Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. The Box Office is open noon – 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and two hours prior to performance.

There will be post-show discussion with the Director and Cast Members on Friday, February 6. There is also an ASL performance at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, February 19.

Please note that this play contains adult themes and language.

Natalia Dagenhart