TheatreDate.com Reviews June 2, 2007
Nuclear family explodes on stage
Alex Rojas for theatredate.com

Just in time for Father’s Day fun, the Chico Theater Company presents a family show about a family man in their production of “Father Knows Best.”

Based on the show that amused both early television viewers and radio listeners alike, this production is entertainingly outdated.

The play revolves around one man’s home coming after a long day at work. Jim Anderson (played by Darren Clark) comes home expecting to find a hot meal and a happy family. He takes off his sports jacket and slips into a comfortable, baby blue sweeter anticipating some peace and quiet. But his peace is quickly broken when his loving wife Margaret (played by Andrea Doughman) informs him that the washing machine is on the frits and even worse, dinner isn’t ready.

Jim makes the best of the situation by sitting down with his daily newspaper before dinner for some quiet reading. But he reads troubling news about a teenage couple’s failed elopement. Outraged by the over-sexed youths of the day he forbids his oldest daughter Betty (played by Cassi Nicolas) from going out on a date she has planed for the evening.

In an attempt to protect his family from a hostile world he demands that all his children and his wife cancel their evening plans. His son Bud (played by Kevin White) can’t go to basketball practice and his youngest daughter Kathy (played by Courtney Doughman) has to cancel sleep over plans with her friend Patty (played by Katie Van Patten). Instead of going out, Jim tells his family to invite their friends in. Soon Betty’s date Ralph (played by Tyler Davis), Bud’s basketball team and 10-year-old Patty are all set loose around the house.

In addition to their other guests, Margaret’s rumor spreading society friends (played by Lindsay Ashcraft, Morgan Reeves and Ronda Morse) drop by, along with a washing machine repairman (played by Roger Hart) and Jim’s prospective business client Mr. Brinkworth (played by Marc Edson).

When Jim’s daughter Betty tries to escape with her date in all the pandemonium, Jim calls the police, and the party is soon joined by Officer Johnson (played by Mark Doughman) and wayward youth specialist Detective Jenkins (played by Brandy Jackson).

All of Jim’s best intentions turn against him and everything that can go wrong does. But like all good sitcoms peace is soon restored and, of course, it all works out in the end.

Director Joe Garrow loved the script when he and producer Marc Edson read it over vacation, he said. Of the dozens of scripts they read “Father Knows Best” stood out.

“We really look for more family oriented, light hearted stuff,” Garrow said. “I’ve always been a fan of the old black and white sitcoms.”

Indeed “Nick at Nite” would be proud of this production, which draws upon all the old sitcom sappiness. Clark’s portrayal of the overbearing 1950’s style dad is comical and committed. His interaction with the other members of his family builds on the strong foundation of the Kristin Sergel script.

In addition to the fine work of the cast playing the Anderson family, the colorful collage of supporting cast members adds a good deal of depth to the comic layering of the play.

Garrow was pleased with the efforts made by the cast of mostly fresh faces, he said. Actors with limited stage experience filled many of the play’s lead roles.

“There are a lot of new comers in this show,” he said.

But at least one of the play’s performers is no newcomer to the CTC experience. In fact he’s kind of the theater’s resident father himself. Marc Edson is the theater’s owner, and although he obviously spends a lot of time around the set, he’s not usually on stage.

He asked to be in the show, Garrow said, and the director was happy to put him in the cast.

“One thing about Marc and I is we really work well together,” Garrow said.

Edson’s addition to the cast rounded out a quality group, and if you want to see him on stage this might be you’re only chance till next season. Directing shows and running a theater doesn’t leave much time for acting Edson said, so this was a pleasant, but rare experience for him.

“About once a year I can get up there,” he said after the show.

So go see him and the rest of the cast before it’s too late. And if you still can’t decide what to get your own father for Father’s Day, don’t forget that there is a special Father’s Day matinee at 2 p.m. on June 17th.