Simon’s ‘Red Hot’ laughs still ring true in Cider Mill production

Ava Crump and Buzz Roddy (photo by Stephen Appel)

The Neil Simon farce Last of the Red Hot Lovers opened this past week at the Cider Mill Playhouse in Endicott. The production, directed by Penny Powell, features Buzz Roddy, Dori May Ganisin, Marjorie Donovick and Ava Crump.

George Bernard Shaw is quoted as saying that the French do not really care what they do as long as they use the correct words. Roddy’s character, Barney Cashman, is no Frenchman – he is a mid-20^th century American man — but he’s in crisis, and words are at the root of his perceived woes. At 43 he believes that his life has been incomplete, because he’s never had an affair. And words are his challenge. He strongly believes that romance must be a part of an affair; however, the women he pursues have other words in mind – and romance is not one of them.

Barney is always changing with each scene building upon the character’s development. Roddy rises to the needs of the role, keeping the audience very invested in Barney’s dilemmas. We suffer, share and enjoy all his anguishes.

Ganisin, a well-known actor in this area, always turns in a great performance. In this piece, she is remarkable.  Her quick mood changes are phenomenal. From sexual enticement to a coughing seizure to anger and attack —  all are accomplished with amazing speed and believability.