Necessary Laughter Comes to Santa Barbara with 'Unnecessary Farce'

Director Sara Rademacher brings physical comedy and technical precision to SBCC's upcoming production.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:28pm

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After directing heavy dramas in recent seasons, Santa Barbara theater director Sara Rademacher is now helming the lighthearted comedy 'Unnecessary Farce' at SBCC. Rademacher describes the show as a 'delightfully cliché motel-room sting operation' filled with slamming doors, falling pants, and the pursuit of justice and love. She commends the cast's dedication to the technical precision and emotional commitment required for this style of physical comedy.

Why it matters

In a time when many theatergoers are seeking an escape from the trauma and heaviness of current events, 'Unnecessary Farce' provides an opportunity for the Santa Barbara community to enjoy some much-needed laughter and levity. The technical complexity of farce also showcases the skill and artistry of the local theater community.

The details

Rademacher, who has directed heavier dramas in recent seasons, says she felt a sense of relief in embarking on the 'delightfully cliché motel-room sting operation' of 'Unnecessary Farce.' The show, written by Paul Slade Smith, follows a couple of earnest cops trying to rid their small city of corruption. Rademacher commends the cast's dedication to the technical precision, athleticism, and trust required for the show's physical comedy, noting that 'if the timing isn't perfectly calibrated, the result can be catastrophic.' The actors must not only manage the tight staging and timing, but also bring emotional intention and character commitment to the hijinks.

  • Unnecessary Farce runs from April 15 to May 2 in the Jurkowitz Theatre at SBCC (721 Cliff Dr.).

The players

Sara Rademacher

The director of Unnecessary Farce, who has recently helmed heavier dramas but is now embracing the technical challenges and emotional relief of directing a lighthearted comedy.

Paul Slade Smith

The playwright of Unnecessary Farce, a comedy about a motel-room sting operation and the pursuit of justice and love.

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What they’re saying

“In the last few years, I've spent my professional life inside gorgeous, moving, poignant plays that directly reflect current events. Then, I would go home and continue navigating those same events in my own life.”

— Sara Rademacher, Director

“Farce, while seemingly lighthearted and often very ridiculous, is extremely technical.... If the timing isn't perfectly calibrated, the result can be catastrophic.”

— Sara Rademacher, Director

“Comedy is serious business.”

— Sara Rademacher, Director

What’s next

Tickets for Unnecessary Farce are available now through the SBCC Theatre Group's website.

The takeaway

After a period of directing heavy, socially conscious dramas, Sara Rademacher is embracing the technical challenges and emotional relief of directing a lighthearted farce for the Santa Barbara community. The production showcases the skill and artistry of the local theater scene in delivering precise physical comedy that also has heart.