Personal injuries are rarely a source of humor. But Mike B. Breen & David Rafailedes might defend their right to laugh at them. The pair are the writers behind Cellino V. Barnes, an often amusing two hander that pits two of New York’s biggest lawyers between one another.
Native New Yorkers and those who have been here since the nineties are acutely familiar with Ross Cellino and Steve Barnes. Together, they would take a modest Buffalo, New York based law firm and turn it into a hugely cash flush famous practice, well known on each coast, thanks largely to elbow grease, prominent billboards, and a ubiquitous jingle that aired incessantly on local New York television and radio.
Like most Hollywood marriages, the pair hit a rocky patch and their professional union hit the skids. The pair took litigious action against one another in 2017 and three years later, the law firm dissolved.
Breen and Rafailedes have written a story that is relatively accurate on truths but aims to be more funny than factual. In large part, they’ve succeeded.
Eric William Morris stars as Ross Cellino, a perma-tanned, slick talker whose primal instincts surpass his intellect and common sense. Noah Weisberg is Steve Barnes. At first blush, Barnes is guileless, but he ultimately becomes the brains of the operation.
Morris and Weisberg have impeccable comic timing and electric stage chemistry. Directors Wesley Taylor & Alex Wyse ensure that this pair stay within the confines of smart satire and never lead this case into slapstick buffoonery.
Cellino V. Barnes, which has been kicking around New York stages for quite some time, is a brisk and thoroughly entertaining slice of comedy that will undoubtedly be a joyous, reminiscent romp for those in the Metro-area who are all too familiar with the indelible jingle.
Cellino V.Barnes is now playing at Asylum NYC (123 East 24th Street NY NY) through October 13th. For tickets and information, click here: cellino-v-barnes.com.
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