'Red Herring' reels in the viewer

Bad puns about fish and communists notwithstanding, Theatre Intime's production of "Red Herring" is a very funny show that more than does justice to Michael Hollinger's eclectic humor. The plot may be painfully convoluted and the intrigue and message a bit trite, but a veteran cast, under the direction of Cara Liuzzi '12, keeps the laughs coming fast and furious.

"Red Herring" follows the intertwined exploits of a trio of improbably paired couples contemplating taking the plunge into marriage. Andrei Borchevsky (Sebastian Franco '12), a Russian spy charged with ferrying information on the American development of the hydrogen bomb back to the Soviets, ends up quite taken with his imposing landlady Mrs. Kravitz (Jenna Devine '12). Frank Keller (Patrick Morton '13), an FBI agent pursuing the H-bomb intelligence leak, woos Maggie Pelletier (Taylor Mallory '13), a Boston cop. Rounding things out, Brad Wilson '13 plays James Appel, the unassuming scientist who shuttles the information out of Los Alamos and falls hopelessly in love with Lynn McCarthy (Carolyn Vasko '13). Yes, that would be Sen. Joseph McCarthy's daughter.

The cast is strong throughout, embracing the high-energy and farcical acting the production demands. Vasko smoothly captures Lynn's naive and sheltered view of love and espionage. Wilson, fresh off an impressive portrayal of Werner Heisenberg in Theatre Intime's production of "Copenhagen" last spring, leaves no doubt that he is great at playing the "morally conflicted nuclear physicist," to use his own description in the program. Franco is particularly effective as Borchevsky, his exaggerated Russian accent perfectly tuned to the tone of the play and his physical comedy superb - drinking vodka by the teaspoon in a vain attempt to stay sober and becoming a hyperactive mime to avoid talking to the FBI are only two highlights.

The entire cast deserves special commendation for collectively covering an additional 13 minor parts. Everyone manages to take care of the extra assignments without overly distracting from the main roles, and some of these side performances also turn out to be quite amusing. In particular, Wilson's performance as an offbeat coroner with a thick southern accent and Morton's performance as a stone-faced major who likens himself to King Kong on his wedding night come to mind.

The set, designed and built by Ben Schaffer '11 and Aryeh Stein-Azen '13, is sparse and generally in keeping with the period. The lighting (Amanda Bestor-Siegal '12), costumes (Caroline Hodge '12) and technical work (Tiffania Willetts '12) are similarly serviceable for a play that permits little in the way of innovative staging. The choice of music played during the set changes, from Cole Porter showtunes to the Ogilby Kippers jingle, is effective. A continuously projected image of the Winslow Homer billboard advertising said kippers, which depicts a solitary fishing boat tossed about in rough seas, provides pleasing visual continuity to an often chaotic show.

"Red Herring" does offer some mildly interesting meditations on life in Cold War America and the institution of marriage - as Liuzzi mentions in her program notes, the image of the "little dory" plying the surf in the Homer painting is cast as a recurring metaphor for marriage. The cast wisely refrains from trying too hard to extract larger meanings from the show and occupies itself with pulling off the relentless gags. The result is simply - I'll say it again - a very funny show.

3.5 Paws

Pros Strong comic timing and physical comedy.