The Play That Goes Wrong

CL Critic Kevin C. Madigan Recommends: — Hapless thespians can’t seem to get out of their own way in The Play That Goes Wrong, a big hit in London since 2012 and winner of Best New Comedy at the 2015 Laurence Olivier Awards. Its original cast transferred to Broadway in 2017 under a production by acclaimed filmmaker J.J. Abrams, earning him his sole theater credit. Plaudits ensued from the likes of Variety, which deemed it “comic gold,” and from The New York Times, whose critic Ben Brantley observed, “The audience roared as loudly as the crowd at any wrestling match.”Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields of Mischief Theatre Company, the hectic farce has more pratfalls and errant props than a Buster Keaton movie, and ends up with the entire set pretty much demolished. “It’s always a joy when we get to bring the best of Broadway to Lawrenceville — and this show is set to be one of our most joyful so far,” says Ann-Carol Pence, Aurora Theatre’s co-founder and artistic director. “The Play That Goes Wrong showcases the kind of creativity, energy and absolute hilarity that makes theater such an enjoyable medium for storytelling.” The Aurora’s content advisory says the show is recommended for most audiences, even though it “contains innuendo and comedic violence.” — KCM