Southlander works behind the scenes on ‘Unnecessary Farce’

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Angela Weber Miller, of Evergreen Park, worked behind the scenes for First Folio Theatre's "Unnecessary Farce." | D. Rice photo

‘Unnecessary Farce’

◆ Feb. 1-March 4

◆ First Folio Theatre at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook

◆ Tickets, $30-$37

◆ (630) 986-8067; firstfolio.org

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Updated: February 28, 2012 8:07AM

She has designed many theater sets before but Angela Weber Miller said nothing has been as challenging as creating the set for the Chicago-area premiere of “Unnecessary Farce.”

That’s because the wacky comedy presented by First Folio Theatre provides for duplicate hotel rooms, fast-paced entrances and exits and lots of slamming doors.

Miller said the required split-second timing of the show, the crazy mayhem of arrivals and departures and the sudden exploding surprises, made it difficult for her to come up with a backdrop that would fit the farce.

“This is a high-energy, tightly manic piece based on misunderstandings and mixed signals that take place in two matching hotel rooms,” the Evergreen Park resident said.

“That may seem like no big deal, but there’s more to it than what’s apparent on the surface.

“These hotel rooms are mirror images but with seven doorways, the sight lines become critical.

“Every audience member has to be able to see each character that comes through every door. Otherwise, they can’t keep up with what’s happening.

“I have to be very careful about where I locate the doors.”

The story of “Unnecessary Farce,” which opens on Feb. 1 in Oak Brook, centers on a pair of police officers who try to trap a crooked mayor in a sting operation.

The police think they have a foolproof scheme. Of course, since this show is a comic farce, they’re terribly wrong and everything does go wrong.

“Before the set is built, I have to work out all the problems on paper,” Miller said. “I have to draw the images and draft all the dimensions before we can do anything else.

“One of the big problems is the hotel rooms. What can you do to make the rooms look like cheap hotel rooms?

“My answer was to make them look a bit tropical and tacky. I thought that would make the rooms more fun and not boring. I didn’t want anything to be boring.”

Miller said the doors necessary for the farce were especially daunting.

Although the technical director of the show is responsible for making sure the doors open and close properly — one would not want squeaky or sticky doors — putting the doors in the right place is crucial to the show.

“I told the technical director to watch out for the doors. I told him they would be a nightmare,” she said.

Miller has designed many sets for other theater productions including “The Woman in Black” and “Romeo and Juliet” for First Folio, where she is an artistic associate.

She also has designed sets for “High Fidelity” at Route 66 Theatre Company in Chicago, “Over the River and Through the Woods” at the Mercury Theater in Chicago and “Five Guys Named Moe” at Drury Lane Theatre in Evergreen Park.

Living in the Southland with her husband and two children, Miller said she appreciates the necessity of balancing her life.

“I would love to work in more venues, but I have a family. I’m a parent with responsibility. I think you have to measure what you consider success,” she said.

“Making a home for my family in the right neighborhood is important to me. In Evergreen Park we’re surrounded by the city on three sides, but it has a wonderful sense of community.

“If I call police, they’re here in four seconds. I know my neighbors, and I don’t have to worry about schools. I’m very happy with my kids’ school.

“I’m happy when my kids come home and tell me of their day.”

Miller said balancing family and career isn’t easy, but she thinks it’s working out.

She has been able to greet her children when they come home from school yet still designs theater sets.

Miller is working on future projects such as “Making God Laugh,” which will open in May at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Ind., and “The Merchant of Venice” for First Folio, which will open in summer.

Betty Mohr is a local free-lance writer.