Santa Cruz Shoestring Players Bring Fast-Paced Comedy Unnecessary Farce to Green Valley’s CPAC Stage

A new high-energy comedy, Unnecessary Farce, has taken over the stage at the Community Performing Arts Center (CPAC) in Green Valley, Arizona, promising audiences a night filled with laughter, chaos, and expertly timed mayhem. The production, presented by the Santa Cruz Shoestring Players, opened on October 30 and will continue its run through November 9, offering both matinee shows at 3 p.m. and evening performances at 7 p.m. Tickets and more information are available on CPAC’s official website.

The play, written by Paul Slade Smith, is a modern farce that revolves around two rookie undercover cops trying to catch an embezzling mayor on videotape during a secret meeting with his accountant. Set in a run-down motel, the story quickly spirals out of control as misunderstandings pile up, doors slam open and shut, and nearly everyone’s plans go hilariously wrong. The result is a show that’s all about precise timing, fast dialogue, and physical comedy—a combination that keeps the audience guessing and laughing from start to finish.

Director Ron Heiss describes the show as a perfect recipe for chaos: “We’ve got two cops, we’ve got three crooks, and we’ve got eight doors.” Timing, he emphasizes, is everything. “One door opens, another closes,” Heiss explains. “So timing is an important element.” With that many moving parts, even a small delay or missed cue can throw off the rhythm, but that’s also part of the challenge—and the fun—of staging a farce like this one.

Actor and producer Chad Eggen was instrumental in bringing Unnecessary Farce to Green Valley. Having previously performed the same show in his home state of South Dakota, Eggen knew it would be a hit with local audiences. “It’s a hilarious show, it’s so funny. It’s fast-paced,” he said, noting that the play’s humor is both smart and accessible. Eggen’s enthusiasm helped make this production a reality for the Shoestring Players and the CPAC community.

The production also highlights the collaborative nature of local theater. Heiss is quick to credit the entire creative team—makeup artists, costume designers, lighting and sound technicians, and props specialists—for their dedication in bringing this farce to life. “Theatre is a cooperative art,” he said. “So many different things go into making a production what it really is.” That spirit of teamwork shines through in the show’s tight coordination and quick transitions between scenes.

Originally premiering in 2006 at the BoarsHead Theatre in Lansing, Michigan, Unnecessary Farce has since been performed internationally, from the United Kingdom to Australia, earning rave reviews for its witty writing and clever staging. The play’s tagline—“Two cops. Three crooks. Eight doors. Go.”—perfectly sums up the breakneck energy that defines the experience.

For theatergoers in Southern Arizona, this production offers a great opportunity to support local talent and enjoy a night of laugh-out-loud entertainment. The Santa Cruz Shoestring Players have been bringing live theater to the region since 2008, and their latest effort continues their tradition of engaging, community-driven performances.

Unnecessary Farce runs through November 9 at the CPAC Theatre in Green Valley. To grab your seats or learn more about upcoming productions, visit the Santa Cruz Shoestring Players website or the CPAC ticketing page.

Expect laughter, quick banter, and doors that never stop slamming—because in this farce, everything that can go wrong absolutely does.