A DEVILISHLY GOOD TIME WITH THE NOT-SO-ANGELIC

Paul Slade Smith’s delightful farce earns
hearty laughs from a terrific cast

John DeCarlo, Taylor Henderson, and Sandy Campbell

Playwright and actor Paul Slade Smith is on a winning streak. Besides starring in North Coast Rep’s Scapin earlier this year, all three of his plays have been produced by the combination of NCR and Scripps Ranch Theatre in the last few years. As a bonus, his delightful farce Theatre People was so well-received throughout its whole run at NCR that, only three years later, Scripps Ranch Theatre is taking it on as well. And the results are terrific!

Melissa Fernandes and Danny Campbell

Theatre People, or The Angel Next Door takes place in 1948 at an elegant Newport mansion, where successful Broadway playwright Charlotte Sanders (Melissa Fernandes) and her husband and writing partner, Arthur Sanders (Danny Campbell), hope to turn young novelist Oliver Adams’s (Kenny Bordieri) romantic novel into a Broadway hit. Oliver is deeply in love with Broadway star Margot Bell (Taylor Henderson), the woman who inspired his book, although his feelings are largely a fantasy she does not yet understand. Charlotte and Arthur have arranged for Margot to stay in the adjoining room, hoping romance and theatrical ambition will help bring their plans together.

Melissa Fernandes, Kenny Bordieri, and Danny Campbell

Their optimism collapses when sounds through the mansion’s thin walls reveal that Margot may be romantically involved with Victor Pratt (John DeCarlo), a handsome, egotistical Broadway leading man with considerably more confidence than intelligence. Heartbroken, Oliver threatens both his manuscript and the project’s future. Meanwhile, Olga (Sandy Campbell), the intimidating and thoroughly unimpressed housekeeper (a hint warmer than Frau Blücher from Young Frankenstein), makes her contempt for these excitable “theatre people” abundantly clear. As misunderstandings multiply, Charlotte and Arthur desperately try to protect Oliver’s fragile heart, Margot’s reputation, and their theatrical dreams, setting the stage for increasingly elaborate and very funny complications.

Melissa Fernandes and Sandy Campbell

Charlotte is the primary focus, almost never leaving the stage in the entire two acts. While Fernandes aptly lands her facial reactions and comedic lines sharply, her primary function is to be the pivot around which all the craziness spins; under Christopher Williams’ direction, she pulls this off expertly. Mr. Campbell adds a dryness to his reactions that could toast bread. Bordieri’s physical comedy and commitment to outlandishness make him just right for Oliver’s role. DeCarlo’s mugging as the dimwitted narcissist gets some of the best laughs of the night. Henderson, though not given as many punch lines, is lovely as the sweet victim of circumstance whom we are rooting for. Yet for all that great work, it’s Ms. Campbell’s Olga who we leave the theatre talking about—in part because she’s so good and in part because Smith gives her such delicious lines to delve into. She, as the mansion’s one steady presence, serves as our witness to the escalating absurdity.

Melissa Fernandes and Taylor Henderson

Dixon Fish’s set design is simple but just what this show needed. Heather K. Nunn’s costuming felt right on for the period, especially some lovely dresses in Act II.

Taylor Henderson, Melissa Fernandes, and John DeCarlo

Silliness abounds in this unlikely tale, and it drew a lot of hearty laughter throughout the house. Having enjoyed North Coast Rep’s staging only a few years ago, I found this production every bit as entertaining and recommend it highly.

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photos by Ken Jacques

Theatre People, or The Angel Next Door
Scripps Ranch Theatre
on the campus of Alliant International University
9783 Avenue of Nations in San Diego
Fri–Sat at 7:30; Sun at 2
1 hour and 45 minutes plus intermission
ends Sept 20, 2026
for tickets, call 858.395.0573 or visit Scripps Ranch Theatre
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