UVU's 'Tea?' is a unique, funny farce

"Tea with Mint or Lemon?” est hystérique comique et une expérience théâtrale unique.

Did you really need a translation to recognize that UVU’s “Le Thé à la Menthe oú le Citron?” is a hysterically comical and unique theater experience?

Surely inspired by jet-fueled Three Stooges, director D. Terry Petrie shows there’s no farce like a French farce, especially when staged in its original French language. What sets “Tea?” apart is that, while the actors are speaking a foreign tongue, the audience members are surprised to find themselves understanding what’s taking place on stage. And they are not just understanding the play, they are roaring with laughter — that universal language.

The term farce was born in 15th-century France, describing the mixing of acrobatics and caricature with tomfoolery, and these productions then matured into screwball comedies.

Discovered by the UVU Theatre Department at an international theater festival, “Tea?” is a frisky, frantic farcefest in its regional debut at the Noorda Theatre through April 9. The play within the play is rehearsed in the first act, with comical situations comically staged, and premiered in the second act, with even more comical situations even more comically staged.

The genius of the writing is the repetition of the main plot points through the two acts, which tremendously helps audience members who don’t happen to speak French. There are a few asides to the audience spoken in French-accented English. But following the actual story of “Tea?” — well, who cares?

But for the purpose of this review, let’s review the plot. Follow closely. Leading the main characters is the fed-up director Clara (Cherie Julander), filling in at the last minute for the actor playing the jewel thief butler Dominique (Nick Grossaint), who lacks the fortitude to reject the lousy suggestions for the bumbling first-time actor Julien (Robbie X. Pierce), the play’s financier’s son, from the impetuous diva Sophia (Jacquelyne Jones) and the debonair lady’s man Richard (Andy Hansen) while being fitted by the blasÉ dresser Brigette (Jessamyn Svensson), who confuses romantic with Roman to design a toga costume. And now take a breath.

The actor’s broad character exaggerations and slapstick antics are hysterical. Jones is seen as Madeline Kahn, Pierce as Roberto Benigni and Hansen as John Cleese, if the famous actors had been energized to warp speed. (One wouldn’t be surprised to find Twinkie and Yoo-hoo IV stations backstage.)

The French is spoken effortlessly and with full conviction. After recovering from this distinctive play, the audience is left wondering if the actors are French speakers or if they spoke accurate French. But, again, who cares?

“Tea?” is a tour de force of hilarious theater. Quelle surprise!

Blair Howell is a freelance editor and writer.