RIDGEFIELD — The opening night of a run of original one act plays at Ridgefield Theater Barn on January 30 proved entertaining and thought provoking. Some of the most whimsical pieces brought home a valuable message. Others were just plain fun.

While somewhat uneven, the audience thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of the plays. Many were very well written, effective and totally captivating. 

Among my favorites were Family Affair by Albi Gorn, directed by Marla Manning and performed by Kimberly Knispel, Joe Niola, Linda Seay and Fred Rueck.  This piece is a comedic take on an unusual familial circumstance which plays out to uproarious laughter, not in small measure due to the acting aptitude of its capable cast. Joe Niola lets loose with a series of facial and vocal expressions that provoke sidesplitting laughter. The rest of the cast provides a pitch perfect foil for his hilarious turn. 

I love words and Jesse Longman’s New Canaan’s Novel Perspectives Boutique provides a cornucopia of metaphorical twisters that were clever and well delivered by the cast, which includes Stephanie Rosenberg, Eileen Fickes and Samantha Holomakoff, who are directed by Marla Manning. They are perfectly suited to proving that clothes make the woman, metaphorically speaking.

The First Kiss by Karen Smith Vastola is a throwback to the mystery Theater writing now heard pretty much only Prairie Home Companion’s Guy Noir series. The actors stuck to the genre, led by Private Eye Molly, played by Claudia Noel Nerreau, displaying some solid acting chops. She brings down the house with her coy, deadpan expressions. Directed by Cheryl Ann Boyd, the piece has just the right nostalgic vibe.

The audience was repeatedly warned to clear a path for actors moving towards the stage from the back entrance. While we were prepared for that, what this audience member was not prepared for was the outrageously clever, humorous and delightful action that followed.

The Bird Play, by Pat O’Connor, is well served by four very talented actors who play a gaggle of birds that has strayed from their flock. All four completely evoke bird imagery in their physicality. Stephanie Rosenberg is the wise antidote to the leader of the strays, played by Stephen Saxton, who just gets better every time I see him in a play. Joe Niola is once again hilarious and Valerie Huegel is a quiet riot.

The dialogue is utterly amusing yet poignant. This is an impressive piece of Theater both in its creativity, production value and actors. Hidden in all that hilarity is a serious life lesson. 

New and local talent is a valuable commodity and Ridgefield Theater Barn is to be commended for offering up their venue to put these talents on display. Don’t miss the opportunity to say you saw these works in their early stages.  You will be impressed at the caliber of the content and productions. I was.

(Performances continue weekends until February 14, with Friday and Saturday night curtain at 8 and a matinee on Sunday, February 8, at 2 pm. Eight one-acts are included in the production.

Visit ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org for reservations or additional information.)