El Paseo Arts Foundation recently presented Neil Simon's acclaimed play, ‘The Dinner Party,’ at the South Padre Island Convention Center. Despite a few pacing issues, the play proved to be thoroughly entertaining.
Set in a private room of a high-style Parisian restaurant, the play revolves around three divorced couples who gather for a mysterious dinner party. Inspired by Simon's experiences, the story takes a comedic turn as the characters navigate their past relationships and unexpected connections. While the plot had engaging moments, some audience members found the ending could have been more satisfying. However, overall, the story was enjoyable and provided plenty of laughs.
Director Joann Evans and assistant director Melanie Wilson skillfully balanced the play's comedic and more serious moments, ensuring the audience remained engaged. Despite a few pacing issues, the play entertained, thanks to the talented cast and crew.
Despite undergoing some directorial and cast changes early in the process, the cast delivered solid performances. Danny Dollar, Peter Hill, and Roger Dorris portrayed three bewildered and beleaguered men, each bringing a unique charm to their roles. Erin Pena, Tess Ficcaglia, and Chrissy Dijkman played their spunky ex-wives. However, Pena, Hill, and Ficcaglia, in particular, stood out with their sharp comedic timing and chemistry on stage. Pena’s attack of claustrophobia hit home and made for some hilarious moments. Ficcaglia’s entrance brought serious tension in a hilarious way. Dijkman, too, brought sparks of humor with her slightly off-kilter portrayal of the third and most naive ex.
The set design was another highlight of the production. It effectively captured the ambiance of a chic Parisian restaurant and added to the audience's overall immersion with its attention to detail and authenticity. One minor complaint comes from the decision to use street noise every time the restaurant door opened (which was often) because it annoyed rather than added to the experience. The actor-chosen costumes were generally good, although one outfit seemed out of place, which was a minor distraction. However, neither of these small elements detracted too much from the play's overall enjoyment.
Overall, ‘The Dinner Party’ was an enjoyable production, largely thanks to the standout performances of Pena, Ficcaglia, and Hill. Neil Simon's realistic writing shone through, making for a pleasant evening of theater. While the play had flaws, it was ultimately a fun and entertaining experience. My guests and I found the production a welcome diversion after a long beach day, and I look forward to the next El Paseo show.
