FARCE MAJEURE

This inventive adaptation trades reverence
for revelry, with hilarious results

Gabbie Adner and Marie Zolezzi

Not everything ages well: milk, dress codes, and comedies are among the many things that are often better when they first appear. Just this week, in fact, I watched a couple of episodes of The Jeffersons and cringed—not just at comments by the outlandish main character, George, but also at lines from the then-progressive interracial couple, Tom and Helen. So how does Scapin, a farce written by Molière, in French, two-and-a-half centuries ago, hold up in 2026 in Solana Beach? With this adaptation by Bill Irwin and Mark O’Donnell at North Coast Rep, deliciously!

Sophia Oberg and David Ellenstein

Brace yourself for silliness because if that’s not your cup of tea, move on! But if you can laugh at Benny Hill, Mel Brooks, and Monty Python, then this delightful, ludicrous romp should be right up your alley.

James Newcomb and Omri Schein

Molière’s original was a three-act play; this take is two brisk acts. As a result, the adaptation begins with a substantial amount of exposition. Irwin and O’Donnell cleverly find ways for characters to catch us up, like a “Previously… on Scapin,” so that we’re all set for the show.

Gabbie Adner and Miles Blue

Previously on Scapin: Octave (Miles Blue) has secretly married Hyacinth (Gabbie Adner) but fears his father, Geronte (David Ellenstein), will reject the match because he had another bride in mind. Meanwhile, Octave’s friend Leander (Tim Frangos) is in love with the spirited Zerbinette (Marie Zolezzi), despite his father, Argante (James Newcomb), expecting obedience. With both fathers returning, the young men panic and desperately need someone clever enough to untangle the mess.

David Ellenstein and Tim Frangos

That someone is the resourceful servant Scapin (Paul Slade Smith), whose talent for trickery promises solutions. At his side is Octave’s servant Sylvestre (Omri Schein), who assists with disguises and nervously follows Scapin’s crazy schemes when the fathers return. Scapin quickly devises elaborate lies to stall Geronte and Argante while protecting the lovers’ secrets. Through fast-paced misunderstandings, comic deception, and mounting tension, Scapin establishes himself as the resourceful mastermind determined to outwit authority and unite the young couples. Act II takes a playful turn as we get to explore more of Scapin himself.

Paul Slade Smith and Omri Schein

Although this is very much an ensemble piece, the heart of it is the interplay between Messrs. Smith and Schein. As ever, Mr. Schein is a brilliant jester, the Sancho Panza to Mr. Smith’s keenly aware Don Quixote. Christopher Williams directs with joyful abandon, seeking out every occasion to generate laughter, including audience participation that yielded some of the best laughs of the night. Those moments were made even funnier by Mr. Ellenstein—whom it was nice to see on stage again rather than behind the scenes as NCR’s Artistic Director.

David Ellenstein and James Newcomb

While not at all a musical, music plays a big part in setting its upbeat mood. The incomparable David McBean, performing music selected by Mr. Williams, enhances the action from his keyboard while also becoming one of the show’s funniest sight gags. Visible to the other characters, he punctuates, for no particular reason, the mayhem with melodramatic flourishes, his over-the-top mugging making it even more ridiculously absurd and delightful. Robust costuming by Elisa Benzoni further adds to the evening’s festive spirit.

Tim Frangos, Paul Slades Smith, and (back) Miles Blue

Check your need for deep meaning in the lobby and simply enjoy the revelry. Exuberant performances, gleeful silliness, and cleverly witty material make this adaptation a thoroughly entertaining evening.

Omri Schein, James Newcomb, and Paul Slade Smith

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photos by Aaron Rumley

Scapin
North Coast Repertory Theatre
987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach
Wed & Thurs at 7; Fri at 8; Sat at 2 & 8; Sun at 2 & 7
2 hours with intermission
ends Aug 23, 2026
for tickets, call 858.481.1055 or visit North Coast Rep

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