As certain as the temperature going below zero in the Fox Valley area during winter, The Riverfront Playhouse in Aurora annually presents a farce or comedy for its first show of the new year.
“This time of year we like to give the audience a show that will be fun to get their minds off the miserable cold that winter has to offer,” said Gene Scheffler, who is directing the two-act farce “Love, Lies and the Doctor’s Dilemma” for the Riverfront. “We usually try to start the year off with a fun, crazy farce or comedy. Trust me, the actors that often end up running around in their underwear in these farces really wish we would do these shows in the summer.”
“Love, Lies and the Doctor’s Dilemma,” by Michael Parker and Susan Parker, will be presented at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from Jan. 19 through Feb. 24 at The Riverfront Playhouse in Aurora.
The story centers on Joan Scheller, who lives with the love of her life, Sandy, who used to be her gardener. In an effort to hide their relationship from her overbearing sister-in-law, the former movie star Olivia St. Claire, she introduces Sandy as her psychiatrist, Doctor Gardener.
The lies continue when Vinny the Enforcer arrives looking for Joan’s son, Chris, who is in debt to the mob. When Olivia runs into Vinny, Joan introduces him as her security guard. Her new neighbor, Rachael, whose life seems to consist of one disaster after another, keeps dropping in unannounced. When Chris finally arrives, Joan gets him into a dress and introduces him as her daughter, Christina, to protect him from Vinny.
Through it all, it turns out that Doctor Gardener’s services as a “shrink” are in great demand. And, to everyone’s amazement, his advice seems to work.
Scheffler said that Chris Contreras, who plays Chris in the show, was a bit surprised to learn he would have to wear a dress.
“I looked for the right guy for the part,” Scheffler said, “Then, after he agreed to do the show, I told him ‘By the way, you have to wear a dress.’ I laughed for about 10 minutes because of the face he made.”
Scheffler uses several approaches when casting a show.
“I have the character description to work from, but I really look and listen for how each person reads a scene and interacts with the other actors,” he said. “Choosing a cast is a matter of looking at timing, humor, voice, interaction, appearance and just a gut feeling.”
And even though The Riverfront Playhouse has presented dozens of farces over the years, Scheffler knows how to keep things fresh for the audience.
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“There is nothing wrong with a good formula, just ask Coca-Cola,” he said. “You just have to have the right cast that work together and breathe life into the script. Each performance will be a little different, and as the audience reacts to the craziness, the laughter grows and everyone loses themselves in the performance.”
For Scheffler, that formula brings contentment.
“I enjoy making an audience laugh,” he said. “Knowing that I helped make a roomful of people laugh uncontrollably for two hours is very satisfying and rewarding.”
Randall G. Mielke is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
‘Love, Lies and the Doctor’s Dilemma’
When: Jan. 19-Feb. 24
Where: The Riverfront Playhouse, 11-13 South Water Street Mall, Aurora
Tickets: $15-$17
Information: 630-897-9496; www.riverfrontplayhouse.com