The cast of A Flea in Her Ear

by George Feydeau, adapted by Craig A. Miller

May 6th - May 23rd, 2010

A Flea in Her Ear – Houston Press

Texas Repertory Theatre's sexy and silly production of Georges Feydeau's A Flea in Her Ear is loads of fun. The bawdy bedroom farce, about a wife who thinks her hubby might be having an affair because lately he's been a bit of a bummer in the bedroom, is filled with goofy characters who are ridiculously funny, especially as played by this cast, which is clearly having loads of fun onstage. The story follows a woman (Lauren Dolk) as she tries to figure out what her usband is up to by tricking him with a purfume-soaked letter from a fictitious admirer. A rent-by-the-hour hotel is involved, as are two men who look exactly alike and a character whose speech impediment is so bad he can't warn anyone of impending doom. Almost everyone has some sort of a lover, even the doctor, who wears a tutu in the bedroom. The cartoonish characters riff off every stereotype, including a jealous, gun-wielding Spaniard (Sam Martinez), a drunken old sot (Joe Fullen), and a French lover (Mark McCarver). The action involves complex chase scenes and mistaken identities that require a devoted and clever director, ad Craig A. Miller has clearly put in te hours to make all the shenanigans look charmingly hilarious. It's even fun to watch Jesse Dreikosen's set full of moving walls, doors, and windows. Farce isn't easy to pull off these days, but Texas Repertory will keep even the most cynical theatregoer giggling with its joyful production. - LW