Laughing, illegitimately

~ RCP's newest play laughs off the dysfunctional family

The dysfunctoinal nature of families makes for some good comic material in the River City Players' newest production, "It Runs in the Family," showing Feb. 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 at Port Cape's River City Yacht Club.

Co-director and constant RCP'er Bart Elfrink tells OFF "It Runs in the Family" is a comedy, by a British guy, Ray Cooney, that uses a lot of slapstick. If you like the BBC, you'll dig it.

The play tells the story of a man about to be knighted, who finds out he has an illegitimate son and convinces a friend to act as the kid's father to avoid the embarrassment.

The defining characteristic of the play -- "there's lots of running through doors and people slapping each other," said Elfrink.

An ensemble of about a half-dozen Players, many of them newcomers, populate the stage, including one in a wheelchair who is constantly being kicked.

That might be a good laugh after dinner and some wine.

After this the Players will continue their season with "Fences," "The Real Thing," the Libertyfest production "Young Louis Lorimier," "Wise Women," "Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Play" and, if Elfrink has his way, will cap off with some Shakespeare.

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Just the facts

What: "It Runs in the Family"

When: Feb. 10-11, 16-18

Where: River City Yacht Club

Info: 334-0954