Review by Joanna Richards 

The Shelburne Players production of "Born Yesterday" opened this past weekend to enthusiastic audiences. When a character yells, "I'm couther than you!" and the entire audience bursts into laughter, you can count the play a success. When tycoon Harry Brock's former chorus-line girlfriend, Billy Dawn, lets loose with this indignant and flustered response, it seems only fitting when she finally decides to stand up to him. It's a risky move on her part, knowing how short Harry's temper can be, but that the blonde and brainless Billie is even making decisions for herself is the real surprise.

What is not surprising however, is that the Shelburne Players have put together another vibrant entertaining show. Judging by the audience response this past weekend, it is clearly a crowd pleaser. "Born Yesterday" takes place in 1946 in a pricey hotel room in Washington, D.C. The suite is rented out by Harry Brock (played by John Hasen) a successful New Jersey businessman of questionable character, and his entourage - his servile cousin and fellow thug, Eddie (played by John Montgomery), and his ditsy girlfriend, Billie Dawn (played by Linda Kindsvatter). In the midst of shifty business transactions, the three are visited frequently by Harry's ever-inebriated lawyer, Ed Devery (Ed Levin), and the senator they bought for the job, Norval Hedges (David Harcourt).

The fun and humor ratchet up when Harry and Ed decide that they need to make Billy smarter. They engage Paul Verrall (Patrick Houle), a young journalist, to tutor Billie.

This show is expertly directed and well-cast by Beth Curtis who has directed other Shelburne Players shows. Harry Brock (played by John Hasen) and Billie Dawn (played by Linda Kindsvatter) are works of art. Harry's thuggish New Jersey accent gives him depth of character sometimes likeable and at other times despicable. Linda Kindsvatter's Billie is equally commendable and her transition from bubble-gum blonde to ever-improving student is complex and intriguing. We could see Billie struggling with what she was becoming, how she was thinking, and how these changes were at drastic odds with the person she once was. It was exciting to watch her wrestle with that internal conflict as she morphs into an entirely new Billie.

Ed Devery's state of constant inebriation is expertly and perfectly understated. The sheep-like thug that is Eddie is stereotypical without being grating. Pushover Senator Hedges is as diplomatic as his backbone is nonexistent. The hotel staff is professional and believable. Paul Verrall is a delicious mixture of the ambitious geek, who ends up more handsome than the popular girls would have expected. The entire cast is brilliant.

The Shelburne Players scored again with a beautiful set design. The technical staff succeeds in transforming what is usually a gym, into a professional looking theater and set. From the start, period music sets that mood. When the lights went up we are faced with a beautifully designed luxury hotel suite. We see a view of the capital building through a large picture window.

"Born Yesterday" with its quirky one-liners and even quirkier characters, is an absolute must-see.

It is humorous, intelligent, thought provoking, visually engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable - and resonates in today's environment.

"Born Yesterday" wraps up this weekend.

The last three performances of Shelburne Players spring comedy "Born Yesterday" are Thursday, April 22, Friday, April 23, and Saturday, April 24. All shows start at 7:30 p.m. at Shelburne Town Center. Go to www.shelburneplayers.com for more information.