"Laughter On The 23rd Floor"

Left: Max Prince (Kevin Caravalho)


This is an excellent production of Neil Simon's homage to Sid Caesar's 1950's variety television program, "Your Show Of Shows". "Laughter On The 23rd Floor" features excellent acting by some of the strongest players currently-active in Sacramento area musical theater (but, for once, in a 'straight' play). The experience is made all-the-more vivid by the kinds of eccentric personalities that make show business so trying, and so exciting.


Kevin Caravalho leads the eccentric parade with his fiery portrayal of show star Max Prince. Kevin dominates by sheer force of personality.

Left: Jason "Clocky" McDowell, Brennen Cull, Jeff Labowitch, and Kevin Caravalho


I haven't seen Jeff Labowitch perform before, but what a find! He is inspired as the chronically-late hypochondriac Ira. His character is a polar opposite of Caravalho's Max Prince, and provides much of the show's fuel.

Left: Darryl Strohl and Kevin Caravalho

Darryl "up to his ass in berets" Strohl plays a flamboyant man-about-town: kind of an overgrown child. His devil-may-care attitude lubricates the rough edges of the comedy.


Left: Joshua Smith, Paul Fearn, Jeff Labowitch, Lauren Miller, Darryl Strohl, and Jason "Clocky" McDowell


Paul Fearn plays the head writer, Val, a Russian-Jewish immigrant naturally obsessed with Stalin in the USSR. Paul's delivery is priceless, and enriches the show at every turn.

Left: Jason "Clocky" McDowell, Brennen Cull, and Kris Farhood


Kris Farhood plays the secretary Helen, who nutures an ambition to be a comic writer. Unfortunately, comedy is hard to acquire in adulthood, and Helen's lack of comedic genius is painfully evident in this crowd. In some ways, Helen's role is the hardest in the show - she has to be funny by striving to be funny, yet failing. Her hypernormality marks her as the real eccentric. Kris' best acting role yet!

Left: Kevin Caravalho and Joshua Smith


Josh Smith's earnest Lucas, the youngest writer on the staff, and the chronicler, was warm and winning.

Left: Joshua Smith, Darryl Strohl, Paul Fearn, and Brennan Cull


The other players, Jason "Clocky" McDowell (the ambitious one), Brennen Cull (Kenny, the sensible one), and Lauren Miller (the one with a conscience), each strong actors in their own right, play supporting roles in this show. Together, they hold the team together, and keep it from shaking the universe apart.