Quote of the Day: Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. Victor Borge

Nate Turcotte as Gus and Jim Lichtscheidl as James in It’s Only a Play at Park Square Theatre, thru 10/19/25. Photo: Dan Norman

What a wild romp It’s Only a Play is! Similar in style and energy to Noises Off!, this play starts tickling your funny bone from the first time James Wicker (Jim Lichtscheidl) slips off the couch and builds to comedy perfection by the final moment as cast, director, critic, and producer hug each other and dream of the next big project. The critic claims that they’ve gone from hating each other to loving each other again in a matter of minutes. To which they respond, “That’s theater.” 

Cast of It’s Only a Play at Park Square Theatre, thru 10/19/25. Photo: Dan Norman

Terrence McNally’s play It’s Only a Play pokes fun at all the players involved, theater itself, and those who criticize it! The play opens with James Wicker pacing in the spacious bedroom suite in the townhouse of producer Julia Budder (Emily Gunyou Halaas). A doe-eyed young wanna be actor/coat check boy Gus (Nate Turcotte) is bringing coats in and out, answering the phone, and trying to glean insight into the business of show. James has come back to New York City, from his stint in Hollywood with a television show, to attend his friends’ opening night of a new play, The Golden Egg. He alludes to its flaws, but will be quick to tell his friend, the playwright Peter Austin (Sasha Andreev) how good it is, even though he turned down a role in it. The rest of the cast, producer and local theater critic arrive and wait for the reviews to come in.

Emily Gunyou Halaas, Warren Bowles, and Jim Lichtscheidl in It’s Only a Play at Park Square Theatre, thru 10/19/25. Photo: Dan Norman

Ira Drew (Warren Bowles) is the theater critic who seems to have a connection with the actors, director, and producer. He has ulterior motives for being there. Also, he is hiding from all the actors who hate on him because of his reviews! The play includes name dropping of past and current actors and shows currently on Broadway. Everyone is hoping they’ll get positive reviews and that the show will go on, and also worrying that they will be so bad that they’ll shut down the show. The anxious director Frank Finger (Daniel Petzold) is a ball of nervous energy. The star of the show Virginia Noyes (Sally Wingert) makes a grand entrance and brings along her own form of coping mechanisms.

Sally Wingert, Jim Lichtscheidl, and Nate Turcotte in It’s Only a Play at Park Square Theatre, thru 10/19/25. Photo: Dan Norman

Park Square Artistic Director Stephen DiMenna brings out the brilliance of this enormously talented cast of the Twin Cities finest actors. Seeing Sally Wingert and Jim Lichtscheidl share a stage in a clever comedy like this is the highlight of the season. They have exceptional comedic timing with facial expression and body language that garner laughs on top of laughs. The entire show is perfectly cast. Sasha Andreev is eloquent as the playwright, who had many poignant lines about the art of theater. Warren Bowles is endearing as the sad, rejected critic. (I hope no one ever throws a lasagna on me!) Emily Guyou Halaas is hilarious as the ditzy producer, who really just loves theater so much. Daniel Petzold shows great physical comedy as he explains his angst-filled journey to the stage. Nate Turcotte is superb as the young artist, trying so hard to get noticed. I loved his moment in Act II. I could not stop laughing! 

Cast of It’s Only a Play at Park Square Theatre, thru 10/19/25. Photo: Dan Norman

It was a true delight to see It’s Only a Play at Park Square theatre. The stage is beautifully designed by Benjamin Olsen. Gorgeous, character specific and fun costumes by Mathew J. Lefebvre. Sound design by C. Andrew Mayer. Lighting by Marcus Dilliard. You can see It’s Only a Play at Park Square Theatre though Oct. 19, 2025. Come, help Park Square celebrate its 50th season with joy and laughter!

Cast and crew of It’s Only a Play at Park Square Theatre, thru 10/19/25. Photo: Dan Norman

Go. Create. Inspire! 

Journaling Prompt: Describe your group of friends. What connects you? What makes you laugh together?