The cast of "The Best Laid Plans," left to right: Dave Pottenger, Josh McDarris, Katie Paeg, Dave Nickel, Brian Wilgus, Jimmy Rogers, Beth Bengough, Tom Rogers, Alisha McDarris.  Not pictured is Kathy Campbell.

By PHILLIP COLLINS

TCN News Service

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WEST MILTON - According to conventional wisdom and the parameters of good taste, corpses and comedy are typically mutually exclusive terms. Yet, seldom are conventional wisdom and good taste considered necessary ingredients in comical theatre. Fred Carmichael’s The Best Laid Plans, which is currently under production by the West Milton Players, is one case in point.

At the center of this foray into farcical fun is the body of a dead spy that turns up in the home of Ada Westbrook, an elderly Ian Fleming prototype. While the corpse is clearly dead, it tends to be every bit as mobile as the rest of the cast, shifting from one spot to another as characters try to solve a madcap murder mystery.

The play is directed by Jeanette McDaniel, a Troy resident and a veteran of the stage. According to McDaniel, The Best Laid Plans resonated with her because of its kinetic narrative and prolific puns.

“It appealed to me as a director just because there’s a lot of action,” McDaniel said. “I guess I look at it from the vantage point of what I personally like to see in a show. I don’t like boring shows where nothing ever happens. I like lots of movement and action and things that are funny. I love things that make people laugh. There’s not enough laughter in the world.”

For McDaniel, The Best Laid Plans is something of a family affair. The show features McDaniel’s daughter, Alisha McDarris. A Vandalia resident and passionate theatre devotee, McDarris puts her acting skills to good use in The Best Laid Plans. According to the seasoned actress, the show offers audiences a one-way ticket to wackiness.

This is a really funny, bizarre, crazy, comedic show,” McDarris said. “It’s hilarious. We just laugh through every rehearsal. All of the lines are funny. It’s family-friendly. It will appeal to everybody.”

McDarris plays Phoebe Kraxley, a sophisticated woman with the looks of a model straight out of Vogue Magazine. According to McDarris, the character of Kraxley is a particularly crafty one who knows how to get what she wants..

Commenting on her character, McDarris said, “She’s sly. She’s very slick.”

Like her mother, McDarris derides dull and predictable theatre fare. The Vandalian actress stated that, in addition to being an interesting part with interesting things to do, her role provides her with an opportunity to the explore the nuances of another dialect.

“I like doing fun characters,” McDarris said. “I don’t like doing boring characters. I like this one because I get to do a Russian. I love to do accents.”

McDarris is no stranger to the stage, as is evidenced by her lengthy résumé. The veteran thespian has done other productions with the West Milton Players, including Oliver and Oklahoma. During high school, McDarris performed in all of the spring plays. In recent years, she has acted with Mayhem and Mysteries, a Dayton-based theatre company specializing in murder mysteries with audience participation.

“That sort of theatre keeps me on my toes,” McDarris said. “You really sharpen your improvisational skills.”

According to McDarris, theatre has always held a singular appeal for her.

“I just think it’s so much fun,” McDarris said. “It’s so much fun to get on stage and pretend you’re another person. I especially like comedies because you get to be ridiculous and make people laugh. I love it when people laugh at me.”

Of course, McDarris isn’t alone in this production. The Vandalia resident is joined by nine other actors in show, including her husband, Josh. Josh plays Guy Parett, a polite and courteous pre-med student that tends to worry too much. McDarris stated that, while he is a virtual neophyte when it comes to theatre, Josh has boasted some serious acting chops during the rehearsals.

“His acting experience is quite limited, but he’s actually very good at it,” McDarris said. “My mom and I convinced him to be in this. Once he was on stage, he started to think, ‘Oh yeah! Acting is fun!’”

McDarris and her hubby aren’t the only theatrically adept actors on the cast. The play also features the skills of Dave Pottenger, Katie Paeg, Dave Nickel, Brian Wilgus, Jimmy Rogers, Beth Bengough, Tom Rogers, and Kathy Campbell. According to McDaniel, the entire cast has talent to burn.

“The cast is great,” McDaniel said. “We’ve got so many experienced actors in this show. They’re all very good at remembering their comings and goings. There are many doors and many entrances, and many people on stage at the same time. So, it’s been a challenge, but they’ve really tackled it with enthusiasm. They’re all energetic. They listen closely. It’s been a pleasure to work with them.”

McDaniel stated that, ultimately, audiences will fall in love with the escapist humor of The Best Laid Plans.

“It’s just a fun show,” McDaniel said. “You get to forget about the problems of the day and laugh.”

The show will run on Oct. 6,7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 9 at 3 p.m. The Best Laid Plans will be performed at the historic and newly remodeled Overlook Park facility on 444 N. Miami St. in West Milton. Admission is $8. For more information, contact McDaniel at (937)335-2554.