by Emily Edelman
Peter Shaffer’s farce “Black Comedy,” onstage at the Ghent Playhouse, centers around an aspiring sculptor intent on impressing an art buyer who has arranged a visit to his apartment to view his work. Just before the buyer’s arrival, however, an electrical fuse blows causing a blackout. In this play, dark and light are reversed so that, when the characters are supposed to be in darkness, the stage is lit, and when they can actually see each other, the stage is dark.
As you might expect from that description, this is a production in which properly executed lighting cues are extremely important, and lighting operator George Lytle is to be commended on his timing and attention to detail. As for the actors, they are all excellent and distinct – each character is believable and well-portrayed, with standouts being Mark Wilson’s vibrant, playful, incredulous neighbor Harold Gorringe; Meg Dooley’s hilariously droll upstairs neighbor Miss Furnival; and Carissa Palladino’s slightly ridiculous yet ultimately sympathetic Carol, the sculptor’s fiancee.
If, like me, you are a fan of farces, this is one not to be missed and, as luck would have it, you have an extra (sort of) chance to see it: One of last weekend’s performances was postponed due to weather and rescheduled as a matinee this Saturday for added convenience. “Black Comedy” runs through Sunday, Feb. 1.
“Black Comedy” Written by Peter Shaffer. Director: Ed Dignum. January 23-February 1, 2026 at the Ghent Playhouse, 6 Town Hall Place, Ghent, NY. Cast: Patrick Domery as Brindsley Miller, Carissa Palladino as Carol Melkett, Meg Dooley as Miss Furnival, Richard Cross as Colonel Melkett (Due to illness, Richard Cross has been replaced by Ed Dignum), Mark Wilson as Harold Gorringe, Wanda Libardi as Schuppanzigh, Amanda Boyd as Clea, Brian Yorck as Georg Bamberger Costumer: Karin Mason. Lighting/sound design: Michael O’Keefe. Lighting/sound operator: George Lytle. Set design: Ed Dignum.