THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 19, 1996 TAG: 9610190268
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
TYPE: Theater Review
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 58 lines
If you are looking for something deep to talk about, while sipping vino, ``Cookin' With Gus'' isn't it - nor is it terribly original.
But it is very funny, thanks to a wonderfully nonsensical script and a quartet of performers equal to all that nonsense.
The plot has to do with Gussie Richardson, purportedly one of the country's finest chefs. She pens a syndicated column on the art of cooking - a column so successful it nets her a request to appear on television.
One little problem: When the camera points in her direction, she freezes. How to un-freeze? Her boyfriend has mastered the art of hypnosis.
Said boyfriend is not too thrilled with all the attention Gussie is getting since it takes away from their ``quality'' time together. There is only one thing to do - use his knowledge of hypnosis by making a couple of crazy suggestions that will sabotage the pilot of the show.
That's about it for plot. It is the characters who make or break this Jim Brochu play, and that's where The Theatre of Dare shines.
They have funny lines to work with and they make them work. Granted, some of the lines are burlesque veterans, but they're still fun.
``Cookin' With Gus'' does more borrowing than a lending library - man dressed as woman, food fight, and the play's funniest scene, wherein Gussie gets drunk by degrees until she becomes more stewed than her stew. It is straight out of one of the best known ``I Love Lucy'' episodes, which Lucy probably borrowed from vaudeville.
Nancy Hudspeth, lovable but low key during most of her time on stage, lets loose as she gets higher and higher. It is an excellent, convincing comedy performance.
That last phrase can be used to describe all of the performers. The always reliable Tom Charity is a delight as the semi-prissy, easily excitable agent. He takes a stock character and makes it his own.
Gussie's sort-of ne'er do well hubby, retired in his 30s after inventing some kind of valve, is handsomely portrayed by Don Ridge. Gussie, his lover of 18 years - she's not ready for marriage - frustrates him in several departments and his frustration shows through wonderfully. It is like watching Jack Nicholson do comedy.
Finally, there is Kathy Morrison as a Jewish gypsy. The veteran actress captures both worlds, plus the Hungarian world of Zsa Zsa Gabor, a character she becomes under hypnosis.
Don't ask why. Besides, who cares? As long as she helps provide the fun so expertly, ask no questions - just sit back and enjoy.
Another plus has to do with relationships. Everyone works so well together, so the human element shows through the nonsense. The Gussie-Walter relationship is one that nobody would question.
``Cookin' With Gus'' offers the perfect recipe for a couple hours of fun. And, it makes almost as much sense as the presidential debates. ILLUSTRATION: WHERE IT'S AT
What: The Theatre of Dare presents ``Cookin' With Gus''
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Manteo Middle School by CNB