Clever 'Play on Words' onstage

If Sesame Street creator Jim Henson had worked alongside Andy Warhol and Dieter from Saturday Night Live's "Sprockets", the result might resemble Theatre Arts' latest production, A Play On Words. The name, itself a clever little double entendre, describes the gist of the play, which concentrates on the multiple meanings of words and phrases. A Play On Words is a blend of numerous and varied skits, some of which repeat to lend the performance a sense of continuity. One recurring sketch involves two actors having a conversation, one leaving, and the other repeating the exact same lines but, of course, in a completely different context, therefore giving the phrases completely different meaning. The multiple meanings of words thus becomes a big -- if not the only -- theme of the production. A Play On Words is the creation of the University's own College senior Carolyn Kelson, and is as surrealistically confusing as a friend trying to relate a dream. It is bizarre at first, with some traces of a larger meaning slowly emerging as the story goes on. Yet, like a dream, it is fairly interesting and, at times, funny. Without a doubt, A Play On Words is for a particular crowd. For those who love linguistics, Lewis Carroll, Jumble or Hooked On Phonics, this play is great. And certainly, a majority of the audience loved it. One viewer commented it was the most fun he has had in a long time. Others were just completely baffled. All in all, Play is an intriguing production. The actors are enthusiastic, and, although the idea gets old, the play's theme is interesting. In addition, the audience will learn the meaning of the word "Furkin" as well as the fact that "Spiro Agnew" is an anagram for "Grow a Penis." A Play On Words is presented by Theatre Arts and is playing until April 3 at the Annenberg Studio Theatre at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 each and are available at the door.

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