My review could be a single word: wow.
But it deserves several wows. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.
The play is superbly written, aptly directed, and brilliantly acted. Keven and I have many years of history with ACT, and as much as we love our theater nights, the play selections tend to suck, and the repetition of the same actors over and over again, with the same acting ruts again and again, has gotten almost painful.
This play was so refreshing, contemporary, exciting, funny, moving, thoughtful and thoroughly engaging it almost knocked us out of our seats.
And I really cannot credit the actors enough. They played off the lines and each other so well the audience was completely enthralled. All things considered--love, loss, murder, cancer, death, dying, living, and grief--this show is a lot fun.
And the cast was a stellar foursome of experienced talent: Laurie Metcalf, JoBeth Williams (both amazing in their performances), a closely shorn and therefore almost unrecognizable Dennis Boutsikaris, and a delicate and restrained performance by Steven Culp. While Steven's mustache may have been appropriate to his mid-western character, it looked a little too dated/70s porn/ Tom Skerrit for me. He seems to be a bit of a skirt-chaser, and I wonder how it works on the ladies.
As is our way, Kevin and I looked forward to working the Out with ACT crowd after the show. Some of our favorites were there: Randy (of course), Brett (whom I learned works at SHN now with Sean Ray and formerly with Ryan Rigazzi-- I think Kevin and I used to refer to him as Scooter), and the always delightful Darren and "Pretty Pretty Kissy Face:
Also known as "Christie."
I was so tickled when I saw her and said "Hey, it's Pretty Pretty Kissy Face!" and her head immediately turned. She knows it.
And as is our usual, we wanted to visit with the performers. The cast was gracious enough to join the reception, but Laurie and Dennis sort of sequestered themselves in a corner. There wre mildly receptive to engaging with the public, and I was pulling out my A conversation material. Nothing. The reception was so cold at one point I felt like asking her if she could touch a blemish so the doctor wouldn't have to waste the liquid nitrogen. I also wanted photo snaps for the blog, and was initially intimated away.
Then it became to us more of a challenge and Kevin was determined to throw down and get the shot. We are not starfuckers, and tend to mock celebrity chasers, but celebrity or no, this was our room and we would not be denied.
And that made the photo snapping that much more fun.
Wilson Hardcastle, Laurie Metcalf and Paul Ybarbo
Wilson Hardcastle and Dennis Boutsikaris
I also found Steven Culp to be a bit of an odd duck, but certainly gracious. I tried to get a little banter going by noting his extensive stage experience, and yet he highlighted his recurring role on Star trek: Enterprise in his cast bio. Again, nothing. I was striking out all night. I would have made a bit more Star Trek banter had I known that the role was originated and workshopped in LA by Scott Bacula.
Wilson Hardcastle, Steven Culp and Kevin Koberle
Paul Ybarbo and Steven Culp
I learned that bit of trivia from JoBeth Williams, who is my new best friend. Love. Her. She was so ingratiating and charming I wanted to adopt her as my west coast mother. Adorable. And funny. I spoke a little with Steven about election night the evening before-- they had to do a performance during the election returns. The theater was nearly empty, only 300 people in the audience, and it was a difficult performance knowing so much drama was unfolding off stage. Steve got the results during the show. He wanted to break in with an announcement but was overruled.
JoBeth said she got a call from her son (18 years old, senior in high school) who was so excited for Obama, and personally incensed over Prop 8. As was JoBeth. How much do we love the Williams family?
Randy Taradash, JoBeth Williams and Wilson Hardcastle
I also thanked her for her work. Not only her stellar performance that night, but because of her work, I learned something valuable. Because of her, I have never built a residential development over a cemetery.
Thanks JoBeth!
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