Theater in a Jiffy: A Review of the 2010 PlayFest

Halley McCormick, cute as a bug's ear, in "Clear!" Chris Thomerson photo

By S. Jaen Black

The Ten Minute Play Fest, now in its fourth year, opened at the Grange Thursday night for a weekend run with seven polished plays – script, direction and performance all completely developed and handily delivered. No seat-squirming or watch-glancing as the audience sat enthralled by the variety of life experiences portrayed that made them sigh, ponder, smile and laugh out loud.

The first play was Of Men and Motorcycles, written by Jackie Bates, directed by Sandy Thompson, and performed by Louise Carnachan, Maura O’Neill, and Ed Nebeker.  A great opener, as there was lots to laugh about with the subject of internet dating for the…nearly elderly.  Maura O’Neill and Louise Carnachan neatly portray old friends who are still game to discover personal relationships. The two women’s companionship, hopes, fear, and self-deprecation flit with inspiration and energy across their spectacularly expressive faces as hope wins out.

After was written by Anita Leigh Holladay, directed by Patty Monaco, and performed by Suzanne Gropper and Ron Herman.  Love rears its lovely head again in this scenario of the reunion of two lovers, separated by thirty years. Herman and Gropper work their way through a tricky situation to arrive at a reconciliation – and a future  –  that they might have had years ago, with a natural manner that comes only with wielding the actors’ tools of reflection, conviction and practice.

Cameron Smart and Sheldon Gregory portray father-son angst and love in "One on One." Chris Thomerson photo

One on One, written by John Aschoff, directed by Doug Bechtel, and performed by Cameron Smart and Sheldon Gregory, takes us back to the at-home conflicts of the Vietnam War. Gregory and Smart not only delivered the pacing and emotion of a father-son argument, but they did so while neatly – and successfully – shooting basketballs, a ritual through which they could speak volumes to each other.

After and After, written by Sandy Thompson, directed by Patty Monaco, and performed by Luann Pamatian and Bryan Grantham, proved to be the most serious of all plays featured. Grantham and Pamatian portray the uncomfortable desperation and quiet reconciliation of parents finding a way to go on despite their guilt over the loss of a child.

Clear!, written by Ron Herman, directed by Melinda Milligan, and performed by Halley McCormick and Winfred Taylor, treated a deadly serious subject with sweet and quick-paced fun; not the least because it has a dog in it! Halley McCormick and her long pigtails was so much fun in  her role as a faithful ghost who comforts her old master, Winfred Taylor, who is in the middle of deciding if he will live or die. The two actors worked together seamlessly with great physical humor and spontaneous reactions.

Play Noir, written by Michele Griskey, directed by Ron Herman, and performed by Aaimee Johnson, Kaitlyn Richards, Ed Nebeker and Gary Bauder gives us a parody of the seedy-but-principled detective story. You get to see Gary Bauder with short hair in a suit, Richards and Johnson in 40s “tough dame” mode, and Ed Nebeker as the dim-witted stalwart who can do most anything.

Finally, Yours, Truly, written by Louise Carnachan, directed by Sandy Thompson, and performed by Suzanne Gropper, Doug Bechtel, and Ron Herman brings espresso and hand sanitizer on the same stage as Ms. Finicky meets Mr. Hypochondriac and discover the satisfaction of finding your soul mate. The play neatly and humorously book-ended the structure of the Play Festival and life itself – how are we supposed to go on when life throws its inevitable curves at us?

Do go see these plays.  There was no dud among them and it was fascinating to see how everyone collaborated to deliver  fun, slick, thought-provoking, plausible and intelligent drama.

Well done!

The 2010 Play Fest will continue this Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at the Grange. It is presented by the Actors Theater of Orcas Island. Tickets are available for $5 at the door.