The power of a glimpse of lingerie
By Gerry Camp June 6, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Playreaders Theater
The Underpants
Wed & Thur, June 18 & 19, 7pm
St. Paul’s Church
Cardo 6
20 pesos

A Steve Martin farce, The Underpants, opens Playreaders summer season. It is Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1910. Louise (Gwen Holmes), the lovely but neglected wife of a government clerk, Theo Maske (Nick Belen), is standing on a bench watching a parade. As the king passes, Louise stands on tiptoes to wave, and her underpants fall to her ankles.

Theo is horrified by the notoriety he believes this accident will cause. “I am a government clerk. I blend in.” Not only will he lose his post, but he will also, he feels, be unable to rent the room the couple has available. Louise assures him that nobody noticed.

The event was not unnoticed, however, and soon several men, overwhelmed by the sight of Louise’s fallen lingerie, show up to try to rent the room, hoping also to win Louise’s favors. An Italian poet (John Wharton) tries to win her with his verse and a Jewish barber (Denis Pipes) declares his undying devotion. Meanwhile, the nosey upstairs neighbor, Gertrude (Theresa Major), can’t wait to help Louise have an affair so she can participate vicariously.

Louise’s husband, Theo, who has not made love to Louise since their wedding night a year before, remains oblivious to the developing situation, but is thrilled to have not one but two potential renters. As Gertrude tinkers and Louise gets more excited, a third potential renter, prudish scientist Klinglehoff (Steve Weisberg), declares his interest as well.

The hilarious competition for the room, and Louise’s favors, makes for one of the funniest evenings of theater San Miguel has seen in a while.

Gerry Camp directs The Underpants and Dic Simandl handles light and sound. Come early to be sure to get a seat!