“THE MALTESE FALCON” REDO AT NORTH COAST REP. ...A CLEVER OFFERING.

 For you  movie buffs, who like myself, have seen Dashiell Hammett’s “The Maltese Falcon” several times in the movies or on T.V., The North Coast repertory Theatre is offering a clever redo of Matthew Salazar-Thompson’s world premiere spoof of the noir film of the same name.  

The story follows Detective Sam Spade while navigating a 'web of lies, deceit, murder,  double crossing, all in the hopes of finding the priceless statuette of The Maltese Falcon. 

With acting wonder Richard Baird as our anti-hero Private Detective Sam Spade, impersonating Humphrey Bogart with cool detachment, and a cast of five, playing several characters from central casting who take on the likes of  Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre. and Mary Astor. (Louis Lotorto, Daniel A. Stevens and Liam Sullivan play the parts of the others in different disguises and accents.)   

Richard Baird and Regina Fernandez

Brigid O’ Shaughnessy/Ruth Wonderly is the manipulative femme fatale, played by Shelley Regner. Regina Fernandez is Spade’s secretary/assistant Effie Perine and others. Both are in fine form; flippant, with a wink, wink. and double entendres galore. 

Richard Baird as Sam Spade

Brigid O’ Shaughnessy/Ruth Wonderly hires Spade to find The Maltese Falcon, a  statuette of a black falcon worth thousands of dollars; a lost treasure from centuries ago. Ms. O’ Shaughnessy allegedly came from Hong Kong to San Francisco to meet the boat carrying the ‘package’. It seems everyone concerned wants this precious cargo and will go to any means and pay any amounts to get it.  

With direction by Todd Neilson every move and gesture is choreographed to perfection, pantomimed rolled into one.  With some of the cleverest sound effects/musical composition by Ian Scott,  Salazar- Thompson’s spoof rolls along at about 2+ hours of tongue in cheek guffaws and chortles that will keep you on your toes all evening. 

Shelley Regner and Richard Baird

Marty Burnett’s easily moveable sets accommodate the different locations.  Matt Fitzgerald’s project designs/ silhouettes are ingenious. Matthew Novotny’s lighting is spot on. Peter Herman’s wigs and Elisa Benzonis period costumes with changes define every character.

Cast 

Famous falcon quotes:

“You don't have to trust me as long as you can persuade me to trust you.” 

"The hatched chick cannot go back to the shell, the falcon who has found the sky does not willingly sit the nest." 

"The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim."

And the beat goes on. 

CA caw!!!!!!

If you are looking for a fun time, you won’t want to miss this world premiere production at NCR. 

Enjoy

See you at the theatre

When:  Runs through April 5. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. and Sundays

Where: North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach

Tickets: $53.50-$78.50

Photo: Aaron Rumley

Phone: 858-481-1055

Online: northcoastrep.org