'The Play That Goes Wrong' gets it right

These days, everything has a message, a double meaning, a sneaky twist at the climax designed to make you think. This is important because it keeps us sharp and ready when the inevitable conflicts strike, and these days, it seems, they happen every day. But every once in a while, it's nice to take a break. For the sake of our sanity, sometimes we need to see a show.

“I think that's my favorite thing about this show,” Evan Alexander Smith, who plays Chris in the comedic roller coaster that is "The Play That Goes Wrong," said. “It's two hours of unadulterated fun. It has no message. It's not asking you to think too deeply about anything, so you can totally unwind.”

Kicking off the 2018-2019 Broadway Across America season on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at Bass Concert Hall in Austin, "The Play That Goes Wrong" will give its audiences a much-needed break from reality.

Acclaimed as Broadway’s longest-running show, the plot centers around the Cornley University Drama Society, who are attempting to put on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong…does.

“It's kind of like Sherlock Holmes meets Monty Python,” Smith said. “Slapstick humor, like the Three Stooges... It's totally family friendly. There's nothing vulgar. It's laugh-out-loud funny.”

Brandon J. Ellis plays Trevor, the reluctant lighting and sound board operator of the play the Cornley University Drama Society is trying to put on.

Smith went on to explain that because the play aims above all things to entertain, it manages to connect with people from all kinds of backgrounds. “The best thing about this show is that it's kind of perfect for everyone,” Smith said. “From 4 to 94 to 104, it's a lot of fun.”

"The Play That Goes Wrong" received a Tony Award for Best Set Design, and the Theater Fans Choice Award for Best Play. What began as a tiny show in a London fringe venue with only four paying members in attendance, has now begun its fourth year in the West End and is currently on a 30-week tour across six continents.

With the leading lady Annie accidentally knocked unconscious, Trevor the stage technician, her replacement, refuses to yield when she returns and acts out a scene with Evan Alexander Smith who plays Chris.

As one would imagine, a play that's billed as Broadway's most hilarious show would attract the highest caliber comedians and performers. Smith, who began his career at a performing arts high school in Canada, embarks on this run of "The Play That Goes Wrong" as the main character, Chris.

“I was a pretty shy person,” Smith admitted. “Never a fantastic student, but I found a place in the arts.”

Smith said that as a child, he wanted to be a veterinarian, but the aforementioned academic issues sent him searching in a different direction. “If there was a career of me playing with puppies all day, that would be it,” he said.

But then high school happened, and Smith found another passion in the performing arts. His advice to others pursuing that path?

“Say 'yes' to everything at an early age. Just do as much as you can, especially when you're young. The more you expose yourself to in high school and college, the better. I tried all kinds of different jobs. I took little bits and pieces from all those things. I settled on acting eventually, but tried to do a little bit of everything.”

After Trevor – who is standing in for Annie, who was knocked unconscious – is flattened by falling scenery, a grandfather clock becomes a stand-in for the original leading lady.

Smith brings this broadness of perspective to the stage, rounding out his humor with humility and humanity.

“Society is shifting,” Smith said. “We're in a weird time right now. The more we can encourage young people to explore their passions, the better off we'll all be.”

Forwarding that sentiment, Smith said that he is drawn to developing new plays and musicals from previously unheard of artists and performers. For him, this passion began in Canada and has continued as he works on stages across America.

“Some of the most exciting work for any artist is getting to explore something new,” Smith said. “Getting to give voice to writers you've never heard before...the words that have yet to be written...” That, to Smith, is what it's all about. And puppies. Mustn't forget the puppies.

"The Play That Goes Wrong" is directed by Mark Bell, featuring set design by Nigel Hook, lighting design by Ric Mountjoy, sound design by Andy Johnson and costume design by Roberto Surace. It features a dynamic, fun-loving cast to deliver this comedy of mishaps to the stage.

"The Play That Goes Wrong" is full of farcical, slapstick-style humor with pratfalls, missed cues, misplaced props and a collapsing set.

Tickets start at $30 and are on sale now at BroadwayinAustin.com, texasperformingarts.org , The Bass Concert Hall ticket office, all Texas Box Office Outlets and by phone at 512-477-6060. "The Play That Goes Wrong" will run from Tuesday to Friday, Oct. 23 to the 26, at 8 p.m., Saturday Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Visit www.broadwayacrossamerica.com for further information.