Village Players’ “Over the Checkerboard” over-the-top entertainment

SOMERS — It’s progress against preservation in the witty shell game of a farce “Over the Checkerboard” written by Fred Carmichael and produced by the Somers Village Players.
Although set in the fictional town of bucolic River’s Corners, Vermont, this play could easily take place right in the quaint village of Somers.
Here a nasty developer, Benjamin Inchscape, played with oleaginous aggression by Doug Stoyer, plans on tearing down the town and replacing the small family-owned businesses, like the bookstore, the tea shop, and antique shop with franchises and chain outlet stores.
The locals, lead by lawyer John Hyde, played by an energetic Ron Blanchette, dream up an idea of selling the manuscript of a former famous author, Oliver Foxworthy, to a book publisher and buying the land before the developer does.
However, terms of Oliver’s will forbid them to open the sealed envelope containing the manuscript until it is delivered to an editor. They all know that the book is a steamy tale, supposedly based on the town folks’ real lives.
Their plan is to personify the characters in the book so that the editor thinks they really exist, like a real life Peyton Place, thereby guaranteeing them all a huge advance.
In order to read the manuscript, John tells the group that he is going to switch the real copy for another after it is opened, and find out who they are supposed to be.
As a result, no one is who he or she really is. Ida McGuire, played by the flirty Nancy J. Emonds, owns the antique shop, but pretends to be a southern housemaid.
Although dead now, Ida says that when Oliver was alive, “He was a chipper as a moose in mating season.”
Joyce Benson plays the constantly tardy and slightly spacey Molly Wrigley, who owns the bookstore. (Benson looks and acts an awful lot like sweet Georgia Engel from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.”)
Then there’s Sherry Samborski who plays the ditzy Betty Lightfoot who owns the tea shoppe, with a “pe” at the end. Samborski is quirky and funny, especially when she theatrically reveals her character’s supposed secret.
Rounding out the well-rehearsed ensemble cast of town’s folk is John Lepore as the dramatic community theater actor, Albert Swenson.
A New York book publisher, Carlton Press, sends an editor, TT Wilkinson, played with easy and command by Angela Taylor Sonnenreich, to Rivers Corners. Here she meets the group at the makeshift historical society. She brings a new assistant, the sarcastic Mark Lindsey, played by Edwin R. Lewis III, who says he’s related to the famous screenwriter, Roger Foreman.
How they all managed to keep track of the real manuscript is beyond me, because, like the old shell game, each of the townsfolk switches the real manuscript with a fake one.
The costumes by Michelle Tyler, while simple, are thoughtfully color-coordinated for the town’s people, while the city folk are sophisticated by contrast in black.
The set, while small, designed by Franc Aguas, who also designed the décor, is tastefully functional. Lighting and sound, often overlooked, is timely and prompt. Designed by Justin Martin and operated by Ben Bugden. The sound track from the “Newhart” during intermission and before the show, is a nice touch and sets the mood.
At a dinner theatre, unlike a regular theater venue, you get to sit around the table for a couple of hours before the show and socialize. My friend and I had the chance to meet a feisty group of gals who came to see their friend, the excellent Taylor Sonnenreich, perform.
Her biography says that this is Taylor Sonnenreich’s first time back on stage in five years. Here’s hoping she doesn’t take another long hiatus. She is one of the best actresses I have seen on any stage.
Another nice touch at the Valley Players is the raffle they hold for $1 a ticket. The winners get to take home decadent homemade goods and the proceeds go to a Somer’s high school scholarship fund.
The buffet dinner of roast beef with salad, potatoes, vegetable, pasta, dessert, all prepared by Joanne’s Café and Banquet House, is consistently delicious.
For a fun and entertaining evening out, be sure to see “Over the Checkerboard” running through Saturday.

OVER THE CHECKERBOARD

3 stars
Theater: The Somers Village Players, Inc.
Location: Joanne’s Café and Banquet House, 145 Main Street, Somers
Production: Written by Fred Carmichael. Directed by David Crowell. Technical direction, lighting and sound design by Justin Martin. Produced by Diane Preble. Stage manager Sue Moak. Set design and décor by Franc Aguas. Props by Betty Domer. Costumes by Michelle Tyler. Lighting and sound run by Ben Bugden. Stage crew Trish Urso and Sue Moak.
Running time: 2 hours with one intermission.
Show Times: Friday and Saturday through April 24. Social hour starting at 6 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m. Show at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $33, including dinner, with cash bar. Call 860-749-0245 for reservations.
Actor …. Character
Angela Taylor Sonnenreich … T.T. Wilkinson
Edwin R. Lewis III … Mark Lindsey
Ron Blanchette … John Hyde
Nancy J. Emonds … Ida McGuire
Joyce Benson … Molly Wrigley
Sherry Samborski … Betty Lightfoot
John Lepore … Albert Swenson
Doug Stoyer … Benjamin Inchscape