Font ResizeDiablo Actors Ensemble opened its new Walnut Creek theater in style this past weekend with a delightful production of "Butterflies Are Free."
I was pleasantly surprised that the romantic comedy set in the 1960s still proves relevant today. Playwright Leonard Gershe deftly balances comedic situations and pathos to create well-drawn characters that the audience cares about. And while the costumes certainly suggest the '60s, the situations are timeless. Young adults will always push the parental boundaries as they struggle to determine who they are and what they want in life. And parents, particularly those of a child with a physical limitation, will worry and not want to let go.
Director Scott Fryer has found a very talented cast that has no problem probing the comedy as well as the poignancy in this story of Don, a young blind man trying to make it on his own, his free-spirited neighbor Jill and his overly protective mother. When Jill's former lover appears, Don's world threatens to unravel. Joel Roster (Don) and Ginny Wehrmeister (Jill) are wonderful together with Ann Kendrick's comedic timing as the mother providing much of the laughter. Vince Faso does a fine job as the former lover and freethinking theater director.
If you are looking for a show that will have you doubled over with laughter one minute and fighting tears the next, try "Butterflies Are Free." It runs through July 27 at the former Playhouse West,
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Relationships of a very different kind are currently being explored in Act Now!'s "Mystery Plays" at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek. A fascinating piece of theater, two interrelated plays follow a narrative form similar to the medieval mystery plays performed over 1,000 years ago. Each play relies on a central character to narrate the action with other characters appearing as needed to illustrate the story.
Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, "The Filmmaker's Mystery" opens the show as filmmaker Joe Manning (wonderfully portrayed by Sean Bryan) recounts his train trip home for the holidays. Inexplicably, Manning steps off the train at a stop and, before he can get back on, it leaves the station to later crash, killing all aboard. Why Manning was saved and why he is visited by one passenger he had befriended (a hauntingly sinister John Hale) drives the mystery.
The second play, "Ghost Children," features Manning's lawyer and best friend Abby (well performed by Beth Bemis). Also homeward bound during the holidays, Abby dreads her trip and her possible encounter with the brother she hasn't seen in 16 years. Dark family secrets and terrors surface as Abby narrates her twisted, familial relationships. John Allred directs, with Diane McRice creating the versatile, minimalist set enhanced with Allred and Stephen Murphree's projections and Wayne McRice's sound design.
While this type of theater may not be for everyone, it certainly makes the audience think and, in the hands of this very capable cast (which includes Bill Clemente, Ryan Terry and Lynne Elizondo), makes for an entertaining piece of theater. For tickets, call 925-943-SHOW.
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Onstage Theatre opened a play this past weekend that also deals with family relationships and friendships, but without the more sinister connotations of Act Now!'s mysteries. Written by local playwright Laura Means Berchdorf, "Bunco Babes and Poker Pals" plays through June 29.
Some of the characters in Berchdorf's trilogy series ("Vows," "Christenings" and "Eulogy") reappear in this story of a monthly bunco game and poker party. Here the age-old differences between men and women surface as various relationships and friendships emerge.
Although I haven't had a chance to see the play yet, I've heard from several who did that it includes some very funny, clever dialogue and nice performances. What better way to conclude Onstage's 30th season than with a well-written and, hopefully, well-received play by artistic director Helen Means' daughter. In such a financially troubled world, it is great to know this talented mother-daughter duo can continue to create new, provocative works. For tickets to this latest endeavor, call 925-944-9006.
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Solano College Theatre announces auditions for Stephen Sondheim's "Assassins" and Michael Frayn's "Noises Off." Both auditions take place July 12 and 13. Directed by Carla Spindt, "Noises Off" runs Sept. 18 — Oct. 5 with Daren A.C. Carollo directing "Assassins," which runs Oct. 23 — Nov. 9. Call 707-864-7199 for an audition appointment.
Sally Hogarty can be reached at sallyhogarty@gmail.com.
