Sly Fox by Larry Gelbart by way of Ben Jonson, is a splendid farce, with the entire cast made up of star farceurs. They don't make better than the comic master Bob Dishy, whose takes reveal hilariously what he is thinking, as he delivers Gelbart's priceless lines. Rene Auberjonois gives us an absurd Pantalone, with an impossible crablike physicality, hobbling ridiculously on the stage; Bronson Pinchot, looking almost like Laird Cregar, is magnificent -- strutting, twitching and cringing; and Richard Dreyfuss gets to do three characterizations: the very sick miser, the lively, scheming miser; and a splashy judge, where Dreyfuss tops himself in comic performance. His physical comedy throughout the show is a surprise and a delight. The strong, handsome Eric Stoltz is the center that holds the play together, and he is perfect -- full of mischievous life and great charm. Peter Scolari does a preposterous turn as an overwrought police chief, and the two women, Rachel York and Elizabeth Berkley, are stunningly beautiful, and York can act (Berkley doesn't have to). The set by George Jenkins and Jesse Poleshuck is fabulous, as are costumes by Albert Wolsky and lighting by Peter Monat.
Arthur Penn has once again directed with the sure hand of the master -- making all the fol-de-rol seem possible, all with unbeatable comic timing. If you go to the theater to cry and suffer, this is not for you. If you go to laugh, Sly Fox is the one to see.
