The Town Players of Newtown has opened its 2025 season with an electric production of Noises Off, which opened last weekend and concludes on April 12.

Noises Off is a farce, a comedy that entertains audiences through unlikely and absurd situations, that focuses on a struggling touring theater troupe as they try to put on a play ... the keyword being try. Noises Off captures different moments of the show’s production cycle, flashing from dress rehearsal the night before their first performance to one of their last shows, where everything that could go wrong does just that. With the out of control egos of the characters, turbulent love affairs, and increasing disdain for each other, never before has it been so fun watching a show crash and burn.

Under the direction of Alexis M. Vournazos, the delightfully chaotic story is as entertaining as it is hilarious and is an absolute must-watch.

Noises Off is not an easy production to put on. It’s a play-within-a-play, so every single actor in the cast essentially plays two characters: the characters of Noises Off, and the characters of the play-within-the-play, Nothing On. The entire second act is mostly physical comedy, focusing on the hijinks of the cast backstage as they struggle to keep the show running smoothly.

Yet the local cast of Noises Off absolutely nails it. Each person tackles their role with relentless enthusiasm and makes their already funny characters all the more hilarious with how they interact with their castmates. They’re running around slamming doors, chasing each other with fire axes, trying to hide or drink alcohol, but the show only gets funnier as it goes on. No matter what emotion they are showing on stage, every actor in the cast brings their A-game. It is an incredible ensemble.

Lloyd Dallas (played by Hugh Tucker) is the straight-laced and sarcastic director of the play-within-the-play. For as much as he is the straight man of the group, however, he proves he can be just as chaotic as his cast. Tucker as Lloyd bounces off the other more eccentric characters quite well, constantly throwing verbal jabs at them and rolling his eyes in disappointment.

For the characters performing Nothing On, it is incredibly fun to see how their off-stage drama and turmoil boil into their performances on stage.

Katerina Levasseur is fantastic as Brooke Ashton/Vicki. As Brooke, one of the theater troupe members, Levasseur totally embodies the self-involved yet inexperienced actress who keeps losing her contact lenses. She is regularly looking in mirrors, constantly distracted and in her own little world. While playing as Vicki, the character from Nothing On, Brooke is constantly staring at the audience and trying to pose for them, which is funny throughout the whole play.

Eric Lyga is really funny as Garry Lejeune/Roger Tramplemain, a generally confident, well-rounded person who totally flies off the handle when he gets jealous. Seeing the contrast between his general kindness in the first act transform into manic, crazed energy by the second act is a real treat. He has so many great moments of physical comedy too, between stamping on someone’s foot to chasing people with props. Lyga is a delight whenever he comes onto the stage.

It is difficult to not gush about every single cast member because they do such a great job. Missy Slaymaker-Hanlon is incredibly entertaining as Dotty Otley/Mrs Clackett throughout the show, especially in the last act when Dotty is so over the show. Bob Filipowich delights as Selsdon Mowbray/Burglar, especially whenever Selsdon sneakily tries to drink alcohol or is already totally wasted. Every single person gives it their all.

The passion also radiates from everyone working on this project. That boils down to the direction and stage design as well. The set is small but very intimate, reflecting the premise of Nothing On. Seeing it flip into the “backstage” of the set in act two is a treat, and the blue lighting backstage gives a totally different vibe compared to the rustic charm of the house set for Nothing On.

Even little touches such as having Lloyd actually sit in the audience during dress rehearsal help make Noises Off come to life. The Town Players of Newtown is already off to an amazing start this season with this magnetic, hilarious production, and everyone would be doing themselves a favor by seeing it.

Performances continue to April 12 at The Little Theater, 18 Orchard Hill Road in Newtown. The Town Players has the distinction of being the longest running community theater in Connecticut. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to bringing live theater and other events to the community. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit newtownplayers.org.

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.