If you are in search of a comedy to brighten the cold, dark nights of autumn, head to Lehighton, Pennsylvania, to enjoy "Incorruptible: A Dark Comedy for the Dark Ages."
The play is a farce written by Michael Hollinger, from the Philadelphia area; and was originally produced by the Arden Theatre Company, in 1996.
In Lehighton, it is being presented by the Pale Moon Players, a community theater group founded about two years ago by two of the actors”Bob Fatzinger and Dave Zimmerman”as well as Laurel Zimmerman, Daves wife.
As described by the Pale Moon Players, the show takes place in Priseaux, circa 1250 A.D., in a monastery where four monks, played by Bob Fatzinger (Father Charles), Dave Zimmerman (Brother Martin), Brent Harris (Brother Felix), and Noah Smith (Brother Olf) are trying desperately to save it from financial ruin.
"The river flooded again last week. The chandlers shop just burned to the ground. And Saint Foy, the Patron Saint of the local monastery, hasnt worked a miracle in thirteen years."
Just as all appears to be lost, a one-eyed minstrel, Jack (played by Mike Muffley) introduces them to an unusual way to pay their debts and keep the monastery running. Jacks girlfriend, Marie (played by Izzy Nothstein), joins in the fun to try and balance Jacks efforts and his behavior, and Maries mother, a peasant woman (played by Alissa Muffley) represents the village people wanting to pay less to pray more to their Patron Saint.
Eventually, a potential visit from the Pope gives the monks hope that their monastery will be saved; but a rival church, headed by the Abbess, Agatha (played by Tara Crowe), claims to have the true remains (called "relics") of Saint Foy that are producing the real miracles.
On the evening that this reviewer attended the performance, the show started at a slower pace than one usually expects from a farce; and, as a result, some laughs were lost.
The pace gradually picked up speed during the first act, and by the second act, the cast was in high gear, performances became more focused, and laughter could be heard for the rest of the show.
The cast is a mixture of veteran and new performers who serve the script and show well.
Among the standouts at that evenings performance was Dave Zimmerman, whose ability to deliver comic lines was augmented by his timing and comic facial expressions.
Mike Muffley was also in fine form as the minstrel, and delivered many laughs along the way; and near the end of the show,
Tara Crowe came storming in as the Abbess, Agatha, and brought a burst of energy that helped to carry the show to its conclusion.
Kudos to the Pale Moon Players technical efforts, too, as the set”built by some of the actors, as well as volunteers”was an appropriate background for the action.
Several of the props appear to be actual pieces from a church.
Sound and lighting were also good throughout the production, and the costumes appeared authentic and added to the quality of the show.
Direction is a collaborative effort by the Pale Moon Players team”as it is for most of their productions-- and it appears to serve them well.
"Incorruptible," as well as other Pale Moon Players productions are presented at Grace Lutheran Church, located at the corner of Fourth and Mahoning Streets , in Lehighton.
There is free parking, free refreshments, and the theater is handicapped accessible.
The show continues next Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15, at 7:30 p.m.
For ticket reservations, call 610-377-0290.
This show is not recommended for children under 13.