Come Blow Your Horn at The Theater Company of Rhode Island

“An invitation to cut loose, break free and live a little”

Neil Simon’s first notable comedy from Broadway, Come Blow Your Horn, is the current production of the Theater Company of R.I. in Harrisville (Burrillville).  Simon’s family-centered “comedy of errors” stories became the well-known playwright’s signature style. With all the serious dramatic and tragic work presented for audiences today, it’s fun to relax and laugh at the antics of familiar family archetypes.  Yes, family strife can be painful, but Neil Simon shows us the humor in the situation.

The 1961 hit Broadway play is gleefully brought to life by the cast. Artistic Director, Michael Thurber, does double duty as director and plays the older brother, Alan Baker. Alan is the free-spirited bachelor in Come Blow Your Horn.  The phrase “come blow your horn” is an invitation to cut loose, break free and live a little. That is the advice single playboy Alan Baker gives to his kid brother, Buddy (Derek Laurendeau), who still lives at home.

On his 21^st birthday, Buddy decides to take Alan’s advice and leave home, ensconcing himself at Alan’s bachelor pad. Subsequently, the senior Mr. Baker (Tom Randall) and Mrs. Baker (Elizabeth Hopkins) can’t keep themselves from intruding upon their sons’ attempts at independence. Complicating the picture are various women Alan has lined up for his clients as well as himself, including Peggy (Hayley Tartaglia) and Connie (Paula Lusignan).  Then there is the incessant ringing of the telephone (before answering machines, kids), the doorbell and the lobby phone in the apartment building.

The first act is dominated by Alan (Thurber) who seems to have life all figured out. However, his world is starting to tip as one of the girls he dates is decidedly “different” and about to change the game.  The second act belongs to Buddy (Laurendeau).  Filled with frenetic energy over the terrible consequences he imagines of his leaving home, Buddy nearly tears the set apart.  Laurendeau conquers the physical comedy as well as the funny one-liners.  His strongest scenes are with the women — opposite Elizabeth Hopkins who is aptly sardonic as the long-suffering mom, and Hayley Tartaglia, who is delightful as the not so bright Peggy, desperate to get into the movies.

Tom Randall as Mr. Baker is the anchor for the show. He is histrionic, sarcastic, judgmental and very funny, rooted to the stage with a sureness that comes from experience. Paula Lusignan as Connie brings a breath of fresh air each time she steps on stage.  The only direction I found distracting was the movement of actors to the extreme edges of the front stage – left and right. I understand the use of downstage; however, the players often moved right out of the lights and were hard to see.

Come Blow Your Horn continues at the Assembly Theater in Harrisville (Burrillville) on Friday and Saturday, March 21 and 22 at 8pm and at 2pm on Sunday, March 23. For tickets, call the box office at 401-568-2929. March 23 marks the 30^th anniversary of the founding of Theater Company of Rhode Island.