(L to R) Colin Hanlon, Jonathan Kite, Kate Reinders and Zach Shaffer in Larry Shue’s comedy, “The Nerd,” at George Street Playhouse, April 24 – May 20, 2018. (Photo: T. Charles Erickson)
What happens when somebody comes to your home for a visit and won’t leave. Even worse, what happens when that house guest turns out to have such outrageous behavior that he becomes a nightmare that won’t end? This situation is presented in The Nerd, now playing at New Brunswick’s George Street Playhouse. The good news is that the house guest’s antics are absolutely hilarious and they give rise to many funny situations. The Nerd is a very funny show to see which also has a surprise ending. This review won’t even hint at that ending except to say it restores one’s faith in human nature after it gets humorously ripped to shreds!
The Nerd first premiered in 1981. Written by American actor/playwright Larry Shue, it ran on Broadway from 1987 – 1988. This production at George Street Playhouse is directed by popular actor Kevin Cahoon. Mr. Cahoon’s fine direction of The Nerd showcases some crazy stage antics. The antics stand out as believable because the characters seem all too real. However, some of them are the type of people you probably don’t want to know. A good example is Clelia, the mother who gets her stress relief from her child by breaking dishes or anything that is convenient. That child, Thor, is a real brat and his actions on stage give rise to a lot of laughs as well as Clelia’s compulsion to break things.
Jonathan Kite in Larry Shue’s comedy, “The Nerd,” at George Street Playhouse, April 24 – May 20, 2018. (Photo: T. Charles Erickson)
The play begins with a birthday party for Willum. His friends Axel and Tansy, who briefly dated at one point, are present. Tansy has a definite interest in Willum. He also is interested in her but they have not moved forward on anything romantically. Also at the party are Willum’s client Waldgrave, his wife Clelia, and their son Thor.
Willum excitedly learns that the army buddy who saved his life in Vietnam is due to be at the party. The buddy’s name is Rick and the two have never actually met as he was unconscious when saved. So when Rick arrives dressed in a Halloween costume, the confusion is even greater and funnier.
Rick eventually takes off his Halloween costume to reveal an outfit that draws some laughs. And that is the start of everything going crazy. Rick, who works in a chalk factory, is just so out of tune with life and in some cases manners that it turns out to be hilarious.
Rick’s visit with Willum turns out to be never-ending. Willum doesn’t have the gumption to ask him to leave as he feels he owes him his life. It is only after Rick manages to mess up his relationship with his major client, Waldgrave, that he knows he must end the visit. With the help of his friends Axel and Tansy, a plan is put in action to get Rick to leave. The playing of the plan provides some amazingly funny moments in the show. But the outcome will not be disclosed here. See it for yourself!
The very talented cast includes Jonathan Kite as Rick. His expressions and speaking mannerisms alone make this a play worth seeing. Colin Hanlon plays the long suffering and overly patient Willum. Zach Shaffer plays his concerned and caring friend Axel. Tansy the love interest is played by Kate Reinders. Playing the dish breaking Clelia is Ann Harada with Stephen Wallem in the role of her husband Walgrave. Hayden Bercyas plays the antsy 8-year-old Thor Waldgrave.
With summer just around the corner, this play might lodge in your mind if you have invited guests to stay with you. We certainly hope it is not even close to what you will see in this show. But if it does, remember this play and go with it.
(L to R) Ann Harada, Stephen Wallem and Jonathan Kite in Larry Shue’s comedy, “The Nerd,” at George Street Playhouse, April 24 – May 20, 2018. (Photo: T. Charles Erickson)
additional information about ‘the nerd’
Run Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes with one 15 minute intermission
Location: George Street Playhouse, 103 College Farm Road, New Brunswtick, NJ 08901 (interim location while construction continues on their new venue)
Contact for Information and Tickets: To purchase tickets or for more information, visit the George Street Playhouse website at www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org, or call the box office at 732-246-7717. Show runs through May 20, 2018.