One Man Triumphant

Experience a day in the life of struggling actor, Sam, as he works the reservations line of an exclusive New York restaurant where he must pacify the rich, the powerful, the famous and the screwy as well as deal with his temperamental boss and oddball co-workers.  And all while he waits for a callback while trying to find a way to get home for Christmas.  This is Fully Committed by Becky Mode and currently playing at the Omaha Community Playhouse.

I couldn’t wait to get to work on this review.  This was, bar none, the funniest comedy I have ever seen on an Omaha stage.  Mode has written a delightful slice of life script that realistically depicts a day in the life of a struggling actor as he works a poorly paid, high stress job in order to be able to audition.  While the characters may be somewhat embellished, those who have ever worked a service job will readily recognize the personality types of the many difficult people Sam deals with in the course of a day. 

Mode’s script is not only loaded with witticisms, but it had jokes with punchlines that I never saw coming resulting in the loudest and hardest I’ve laughed at a production in years.  It also contains some nice story arcs that are convincingly and believably maintained and resolved within the course of the show.

Jim McKain has a stunning directorial debut at the Playhouse with his work in this production.  He had a minute understanding of the script and its myriad ups and downs and demonstrated extraordinary acumen in the balancing of the multiple stories in the show as none gets any short shrift.  McKain has also guided his lone performer to what may very well be the performance of the year as he helped his actor shape 40 different characters.  Some of the characters may be larger than life, but all had a foot firmly planted in reality.

Josh Peyton is a juggernaut of talent as well as a thespian of rare versatility.  Each one of his characters is unique and original, differentiated by voice, gestures and body language and imbued with off the charts charisma.   His stamina is amazing as he never slows down for a second and I loved how he would use his animation and gestures to transform from one character into the next on the turn of a dust mite (dime just doesn’t seem to cut it).

Some of the many characters Peyton entertains the crowd with are the volatile, surfer dude chef/owner of the restaurant in which he works; the timid, panicky personal assistant of the editor of Bon Appetit magazine; Sam’s loving and folksy father who always says good-bye by saying, “Adios (finger snaps and hand pointing) amigo”; an incredibly effeminate friend/theatre rival; and Gwyneth Paltrow’s overly perky (and occasionally bellicose) assistant.

However, my favorite performance was Peyton’s interpretation of the play’s central character, Sam.  Sam is a good and decent man who works hard in a thankless job with a dream of making it as an actor.  Peyton is completely believable with Sam’s worries about making rent, his frustrations at hitting a dry spell as an actor, his sadness at not being able to get home for Christmas and his loneliness as he’s just re-entered the single scene.

John Gibilisco had his work cut out for him with what seemed like a few hundred sound cues from the constant ringing of the telephone, the buzz of the private line linking the chef to reservations and the distinctive sound effects that accompanied certain characters.  Every ring and chime pulsed life into this world.  I liked Jim Othuse’s simple basement set.  Enhanced by Darin Kuehler’s properties, it really showed just how low of a man Sam was on the totem pole. 

If you’re in need of a good laugh, come see this show.  I defy you not have a smile on your face by the time it’s over and it’s also one of the best shows of the year.  Strike while you can as tonight’s nearly sold out crowd suggest tickets won’t last long for this one.

Fully Committed runs through April 11.  Showtimes are Thurs-Sat at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are on sale now starting at $36 with prices varying by performance. Tickets may be purchased at the OCP Box Office, by phone at (402) 553-0800 or online at OmahaPlayhouse.com. The show will be available to rent for at-home viewing beginning Friday, March 26 on the ShowTix4U platform. To view all OCP streaming events on ShowTix4U, visit https://www.showtix4u.com/events/ocp. The show does contain strong language. The Omaha Community Playhouse is located at 6915 Cass Street in Omaha, NE.

‘Fully Committed’ Opens March 19 at OCP

Omaha, NE– The Omaha Community Playhouse production of Fully Committed will open Friday, March 19. The show will be held in the Howard Drew Theatre at OCP. Performances will run Thursdays through Sundays through Sunday, April 11. The Howard Drew Theatre host a limited capacity audience and will be set for social distancing and other safety precautions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A comedic tour de force with a single actor portraying 40 larger-than-life characters, Fully Committed is a side-splitting look at a day in the life of Sam. The struggling New York actor works the reservation line for the trendiest restaurant in the city; a restaurant that is (as the head chef insists it be called) “fully committed” three months out. In between calls from social elites, celebrities and everyday Joes who will stop at nothing to secure the hottest table in town, Sam hopes for an audition call back and a chance to make it home for the holidays. This show contains adult language.

Tickets are on sale now starting at $36 with prices varying by performance. Tickets may be purchased at the OCP Box Office, 6915 Cass St., Omaha, NE 68132, by phone at (402) 553-0800 or online at OmahaPlayhouse.com.

STREAMING INFORMATION

Fully Committed will be available to rent for at-home viewing beginning Friday, March 26 on the ShowTix4U platform. To view all OCP streaming events on ShowTix4U, visit https://www.showtix4u.com/events/ocp.

Directed By: Jim McKain

Starring: Josh Peyton

OCP Needs Somebody Committed

Omaha Community Playhouse is proud to announce auditions for:

Fully Committed by Becky Mode

Directed by: Jim McKain

In-Person Auditions by Appointment Only: January 3 at 2pm

Zoom Auditions by Appointment Only: January 4 at 7pm

Callbacks: January 6 at 6:30pm

All those auditioning must schedule an appointment in advance. To schedule an audition and to request paperwork, please email Becky Deiber. Those auditioning will be asked to perform their choice of one of the four sides offered. The sides can be accessed here. Some auditioning may be asked to perform some of the others so best to familiarize yourself with all four. All auditioning will also be asked to do their best Sofia Vergara impersonation by saying the line, “Hello, this is Sofia Vergara!” Auditioners must fill out paperwork in advance, not at the audition. They can return completed paperwork by email or bring it with them. Specific time slots will be set in advance for each auditioner. In-person auditions will be in groups of no more than 15. Auditioners will be required to wear a face mask. Provided seating will be plastic or metal chairs only, no fabric upholstery. The audition space will be sanitized between groups. When arriving to audition, please enter through the stage door on the west side of the building.

Synopsis

A comedic tour de force with a single actor portraying 40 larger-than-life characters, Fully Committed is a side-splitting look at a day in the life of Sam. The struggling New York actor works the reservation line for the trendiest restaurant in the city; a restaurant that is (as the head chef insists it be called) “fully committed” three months out. In between calls from social elites, celebrities and everyday Joes who will stop at nothing to secure the hottest table in town, Sam hopes for an audition callback and a chance to make it home for the holidays. 

Character/Role

The lone performer will play over 40 different characters and be any gender or ethnicity, but should be ablet o physically portray a character in the 25-35 age range. To read character descriptions, click here.

Through upholding high ethical standards, demonstrating respect for all and consciously working to provide diverse representation, OCP is committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment in which all community members feel a sense of belonging. OCP does not discriminate in casting practices on the basis of an individual’s ethnicity, age, gender, physical or cognitive ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, country of origin or other factors. Omaha Community Playhouse is committed to diverse and inclusive casting.