The Play that Goes Wrong Review – Wrong Becomes Theatrically Right

Authored by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG was originally produced in 2012 in London, where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2016 – and has been running for years since then. In 2017, the comedy opened on Broadway with the original London cast, later continuing off Broadway, where it won Tony and Drama Desk Awards for scenic design. United Kingdom touring groups were organized in 2014, and the show has continued on tour to the present. The production has consistently gotten positive reviews, and the creators even collaborated on two television specials, “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” and “A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong” in 2016 and 2017. In 2025, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts proudly presents THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG.

Mary Faber and Reggie De Leon – Photo by Jason Niedle/TETHOS

The Cornley Drama Society is putting on a 1920s murder mystery a la “Mousetrap” – because it just so happens to have the right number of parts for its members to each have a go. While the Cornley thespian group has its heart in the right place – unfortunately, its meager talents are sorely overwhelmed. Even the passion and enthusiasm of its ensemble cast – including Mary Faber as Annie, Michael-Leon Wooley as Trevor, Reggie de Leon as Dennis, John Sanders as Chris, Trent Mills as Robert, Regina Fernandez as Sandra, and Garrett Clayton as Max – cannot save the production. From a fireplace that seems prone to collapse at the beginning of the show to an entire room that crumbles at the end, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG seems doomed to failure. The cast members try their best, but they too cannot tackle a door that doesn’t open – until it does – with the female lead knocked unconscious. Happily, her understudy (also a technician on the set) is ready to hop right in – leading to a no-hold-barred fight for supremacy. Other cast members fare no better, what with exploding elevators, collapsing floors, and corpses who won’t stay dead. And that’s not even counting forgotten lines and missed cues.

Garrett Clayton (on floor), Mary Faber, Paige Robitaille, Michael-Leon Wooley, Regina Fernandez, and Sterling Sulieman (on sofa) – Photo by Jason Nielde/TETHOS

Skillfully directed by Eric Petersen, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG goes hysterically right for the audience, whose chuckles soon morph into guffaws and uncontrolled laughter. The farcical goings-on will tickle the funny bone of every audience member as the impossibly inept Cornley crew try to master the workings of a real-live theater production. Kudos to the cast, who are pretty athletically inclined as they struggle to dangle from collapsing walls and caved-in furniture. With excellent timing, the farce proceeds on its uproarious and entertaining journey.

John Sanders, Regina Fernandez, Reggie De Leon, and Trent Mills – Photo by Jason Niedle/TETHOS

Congratulations are also in order for Czerton Lim’s beautifully imagined scenic design, so much a part of the overall presentation (and, let’s not forget, which received awards in the past). Adam Ramirez’s costumes and Kaitlin Yagen’s hair/wig/makeup design are clever and highly adaptable to the unexpected experiences they encounter. Steven Young’s lighting and Josh Bessom’s sound integrate perfectly with the explosive activities on set. Overall, this is a must-see comic production which will certainly delight and entertain audiences. There are no great messages here: just a fun evening that has brought laughs to audiences everywhere.

Garret Clayton, Sterling Sulieman, Regina Fernandez (lower), Trent Mills, John Sanders, and Reggie De Leon (above) – Photo by Jason Niedle/TETHOS

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG runs through February 16, 2025, with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, at 8 p.m. on Fridays, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts is located at 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada, CA 90638. Tickets range from $19 to $90. For information and reservations, call 562-944-9801 or 714-994-6310 or go online.