It’s easy to relate to the opening scene in Splash, the latest (nearly) nonverbal comedy offering from PB&J Theatre Factory: A put-upon office worker (Kate Zaloumes) longs for vacation while she’s harassed by her cell phone and an uber-annoying co-worker (Becky Eck).
Splash cast: Brandon Roberts, Mark Koenig, Kate Zaloumes, Jason Horne and Becky Eck. (photo from Flirtini Photography)
With the first smugly condescending “Hm” squeaked by Eck, the audience is firmly on Zaloumes’ side as she sets off on vacation at a most unusual beach.
PB&J Theatre Factory is the troupe that created Snack and Sleigh most recently, and though Splash doesn’t have the tidal waves of laughter of earlier shows, its sunny disposition still results in 90 minutes of chuckles and grins.
The main story thread has charmingly hapless Zaloumes trying to find true love with a preening surfer (Jason Horne) while her relaxing trip to the beach becomes a washout at every turn. Everyone but Zaloumes plays numerous parts as she encounters a variety of wacky characters at the shore.
Eck is a stitch as both a bubble-headed Barbie-like lifeguard and a smitten British man (yes, man). Mark Koenig creates goofy fun as an ice cream-loving seagull, and loose-limbed Brandon Roberts is a comic sight as a grass-skirt-wearing island witch doctor.
Though not onstage, Michael Gill also adds to the laughs through his original music and well-timed sound effects. The application of sunscreen is an especially amusing conglomeration of goopy sounds.
The actors’ interaction often makes a sketch greater than the sum of its parts. A family of British tourists who drops everything every time the Big Ben-like clock chimes for a tea break is funny not only because of cross-dressing costuming but because of the cast’s interplay as the dainty teacups are distributed from their little hamper.
The show could stand to be a little tighter — the guys go into goofy beach dances just a bit too often.
And to reach the heights of the best PB&J shows, some loose story threads should tie together better: A mysterious pirate hints at something funny to come but has little payoff. I waited and waited for Eck’s uppity office worker to get her comeuppance, but to no avail.
But maybe I should just chill out. Splash, after all, lets your frazzled brain slow down, creates a relaxed smile and brings forth gentle laughter. In fact, it’s just like a lazy day at the beach — but without all that nasty sand in your swimsuit.
‘Splash’
Where: University of Central Florida, black-box theater, 4000 Central Blvd., Orlando.
When: 8 p.m. today and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
How much: $17 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students.
Info: 407-823-1500.
Note: Splash will also play extended runs at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center in July and at UCF’s main-stage theater in August. For details on those performances and the story behind Splash’s summer road trip, click here.