Bad timing for "Don't Dress for Dinner"

A British import based upon a French farce, “Don't Dress for Dinner” is the victim of poor timing. Unfortunately, just days before it opened, an uproarious farce, “One Man, Two Guvnors” opened, delighting critics and audiences alike.So when “Don’t Dress” opened, it failed by comparison.

Directed by John Tillinger, the play involves couples having affairs and working very hard not to get caught. When Bernard learns his wife is leaving to visit her mother, he hires a chef for the weekend to cook for him and his mistress Suzanne, blowzy, cartoon-like Meg Tilly. He also uses his best friend Robert as an alibi. When his wife learns that Robert, the man with whom she's having an affair is coming, she changes her plans and stays. To cover for Bernard, Robert has to say that Suzanne is his girlfriend but things get even more complicated when Suzette, the chef, arrives. He mistakes one Suzy for the other and confusion ensues with a lot of pratfalls, stuttering, double entendres and more. Some of the actors show their athleticism as they fall over furniture, deftly avoiding discovery.

There's some cute word play about the couples’ country home, a converted former farmhouse (comfortably designed by David Van Tieghem.) One bedroom is the piggery, another the chicken coop. The most enjoyable character is the chef (Spencer Hayden) whose conniving makes her a lot of money and a fur coat to keep quiet. In the best scene of the play, Suzy's waitress outfit becomes a short slinky evening dress.

The show makes for a pleasant diversion with a few hysterical moments. Although this isn't the standout show of the season, it is light and pleasant, like a long-running TV sit-com. (Remember “Three's Company?”) The show gets silly and goes on too long, but it is a light, fun evening out. Unfortunately, “Don’t Dress For Dinner” probably won’t last long. Already, shows have started posting their closings. If only this show had opened sooner, it might have had a better chance.

The two Tony Award nominee, “Don’t Dress for Dinner” is playing at the American Airlines Theatre, 227 West 42nd St., N.Y. For more information, visit http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Shows-Events/Don-t-Dress-for-Dinner.aspx.