The cast of ‘Wonder of the World’ poses in costume. Photo courtesy of Reeves Photography.

The Empire Arts Center Theatre Company kicked off the new year with an outstanding production of “Wonder of the World,” directed by Chris Berg.

The play, written by David Lindsay-Abaire, opened in the Manhattan Theater Club in 2000, originally starring Sarah Jessica Parker.

Wonder of the World follows Cass, a free-spirited, naïve high school math teacher — played by Abby Schoenborn — who recently left her husband after discovering his deviant sexual tendencies. Cass runs away to Niagara Falls with a bucket list of activities including wearing overalls, spinning plates on disks, making friends with a clown and wearing velvet.

On the bus ride to Niagara Falls, Cass meets cynical Lois Coleman, played by Christa Weiler. Lois was recently left by her husband because he couldn’t handle her alcoholism and heads to Niagara Falls with a pickle barrel and a plan to throw herself into falls in it.

Weiler does an incredible job portraying Lois, providing hilarious and witty side comments to keep the audience laughing.

Cass decides it is her destiny to help Lois and takes her as a side-kick. They share a hotel room and many odd situations together, and eventually become best friends.

While Cass and Lois are touring Niagara Falls, Cass’s sexually deviant husband Kip — played by Cole Nelson — is at home crying over Cass leaving him. Nelson did such an amazing job playing sad Kip that it was hard not to sympathize with him, despite flaws.

On Cass and Lois’s adventures in the Niagara Falls, they meet  honeymooners Karla — played by Mare Thompson, and Glen — played by Jerry Wehry. However, it is later revealed they are private investigators hired by Kip to find Cass so he can win her back. Cass and Lois also meet bald-headed Barbara who allows Cass to buy her ridiculous wig so that Cass can cross “wear a wig” off of her bucket list.

THEATRE REVIEW, “Wonder of the World”

Barbara is played by Jaclyn Beito, who also plays a helicopter pilot, three absurd waitresses at three different restaurants and marriage counselor, Janie, who moonlights as a clown. Beito stole the show with her many roles and often had the audience roaring with laughter.

Eventually, on a boat called the Maid of Mist, Cass meets Captain Mike — played Gabe Figueroa.  Captain Mike lost his wife to an enormous Costco jar of peanut butter, but immediately begins a fling with Cass. Mike asks Cass to venture the country with him in a Winnebago but his dream comes to a halt when Kip arrives in Niagara Falls to reconcile with Cass. The private investigators send them up with their marriage counselor, Janie, who shows up dressed as a clown and Cass is able to check “make friends with a clown” off her bucket list.

What makes this play great is all of these characters connect in some way. Whether it’s the elderly private investigators, Captain Mike or marriage counselor, Janie, the characters meet through remarkable coincidences. The play ends with Cass and Kip reconciling, but not getting back together. Captain Mike is accidentally removed from the picture and Cass and Lois head over Niagara Falls in the wooden pickle barrel.

“Wonder of the World” was absolutely hilarious as the Empire Theatre Company gave an outstanding performance. There were a few sound and subtle word mix-ups, but beside those minor issues the play left the audience satisfied.

The Empire Arts Center theatre was an intimate venue for the show, and the audience felt comfortable enough to make hilarious side comments during the play.

I give “Wonder of the World” as played by the Empire Theatre Company a five out of five stars. It only cost me $12 as a student ($15 for non-students), and I felt that it was well worth it. The play ran two hours, with a 10 minute intermission, but it did not feel long at all because of how entertaining it was.

Adele Kieger is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected].