We recently got a chance to get out to Raconteur Theatre's anniversary production of "Negotiations and Love Stories," the title for the company's annual Flex Series (which is a festival of short plays).
Seven plays filled out the night, producing an eclectic take on love at various stages, from that awkward initial encounter to its often tragic demise.
The night was cut into to two acts, with patrons given the choice of paying for either session or both (thus the name Flex Series). We recommend forkin' up the cash for both acts, as the night operates on a pretty level playing field of hits and misses. (Check out our breakdown of each Act.)
One of the highlights was "Rock-a-bye Bullet" by Theatre Daedalus founder Jaclyn Villano. The play is a witty look at a couple (Emily Mills and Brent Small) on the verge of discovering they might be pregnant, even though they aren't exactly ready for it. Mills and Small created a dynamic that felt real and endearing, while Villano's dialogue included plenty of enjoyable quips throughout.
The night opened with "Plugged In" by Dave Grant. The one-man show took on the simple theme of modern communication, and it was a success, thanks in part to the versatile and energetic Joel Dickerson in the lead. He stealthily navigated the many mediums—at one point operating his cell phone (texting and talking), computer and interactive video game all at once. He did it all with an extra layer of frat boy "dude" antics to go along with an amusing disheveled appearance.
Jimmy Mak's "Roger's Beard" showed quite a bit of promise. Eddie (Sam Blythe) and Claire (Allison Wheeler) discuss the problems that might arise from going on a double date with a married couple they've both slept with. Mak's script is hilarious, turning the common soap opera structure on its head by inflicting a steady stream of biting one-liners. Wheeler, for better or worse, adds a healthy dose of the neurotic to her unstable Claire, and Blythe offers a few scene-stealing moments after he's revealed his own secret.
The first-act dud was "Forever Again." Alex (Chad Hickman) and Blair (Jennifer Ntiri) find themselves rudely interrupted by thoughts of their exes (Anna Wang and Derek McGrath) during Alex's marriage proposal. Though a rousing effort is given by the emotionally-stricken, four-person cast, the script—trying to take on the oft time overbearing theme of "forever" when it comes to marriage—became a little too confusing to follow, especially when Alex and Blair's "thoughts" began to interact.
The closer in act two, "Walking Distance" by David Lewison, is another gem. Blythe (the only actor making two appearances) and Shanelle Marie bring the chemistry in this cheeky portrayal of the typical guy-meets-girl-in-a-bar scenario. Marie is a convincing seductress on the prowl, while Blythe plays the coy nerd looking for more then just a one-night stand.
"Fast, Light and Brilliant" by Richard Martin Hirsch opens act two, bringing the story of a two middle-aged strangers (Elizabeth Huff-Williams and Robert Foor) who bond over their respective miseries during the last night of a business conference. Huff-Williams shines in the role of a woman battling divorce, and Foor adds an appealing sharp wit to a unhappily married man resigned to his marital cell.
"His Return" by Percival Wilde rounded out the second act. A period piece showcasing the early 20th century, it impressively featured some pretty elaborate World War I-era costumes and décor. Helen Hartley (Jill Ceneskie) gets herself into an emotional frenzy over the return of her husband (Andrew Hartley, Ceneskie's real life husband) from the war. Ceneskie commands the stage like a pro, completely adorning the era's aristocratic airs. However, the buildup to the big reunion falls a little flat, looking a bit emotionless at moments.
"Negotiations and Love Stories" runs at Club Diversity Thursdays through Saturdays until June 6. Tickets are $6 for either Act I (which starts at 8 p.m.) or Act II (starting at 9 p.m.), or $10 for both. For more information, check out the Raconteur Theatre Web site.
What other people are saying...
Actrjay from Whitehall - June 01, 2009 at 4:22 PM
This is a fair review.
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