A lot of people who wanted to see Steve Martin's underpants were disappointed this spring. Perhaps I should clarify that statement: The Cincinnati Playhouse's production of Martin's hilarious comedy, THE UNDERPANTS, proved so popular that it was all but sold out before the show ever opened. Despite a slightly extended schedule throughout April, there were many performances when there were no seats available. If you were one who missed out, you have another chance, although it'll involve a drive to Dayton where the HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANYhas assembled its own production of The Underpants, opening Thursday. This farce is awash in rapid-fire wit and double-entendres. It's set in turn-of-the-last-century Europe, where a pompous public servant is mortified by his wife, whose underpants have fallen to the ground while she was in the middle of town watching a parade. The scandal attracts attention from several admirers, and the intricacies of getting in and out of several predicaments lead to one funny evening in the theater.Martin, who you might think of as a comic actor — perhaps as a "wild and crazy guy" — is also an accomplished comic writer: He adapted this script from a classic 1910 farce by German writer Carl Sternheim. I suspect Human Race's production of this show will be just as popular as the Playhouse's, so make your move now — you don't want to miss out twice. Tickets: 937-228-3630. ...
Speaking of Dayton, if you're a fan of Broadway tours, you should also pay attention to the shows that make stops at that city's SCHUSTER CENTER, which is every bit as nice as Cincinnati's Aronoff Center (and designed by the same architect, Cesar Pelli). Next season, they'll offer My Fair Lady (Sept. 20-Oct. 2), The Full Monty (Nov. 8-20), the Broadway mega hit Hairspray (Jan. 31-Feb. 12, 2006), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Feb. 21-March 5, 2006) and Movin' Out (March 28-April 9, 2006), the Billie Joel-Twyla Tharp collaboration that audiences recently enjoyed here in Cincinnati. Subscriptions: 937-228-3630.
