It's war between the soldiers and the civilians in Henry Jaglom's new play, Just 45 Minutes from Broadway. The soldiers in this case are showbiz folk; the civilians, all those who don't work in the theater.
In mufti are Pandora (Tanna Frederick), Vivien Cooper (Diane Salinger), Grisha (Jack Heller), Sally Brooks (Harriet Schock) and Larry Cooper (David Proval); they comprise an extended family living outside NYC in a rambling old house crammed with theater memorabilia (the fabulous set is by Joel Daavid). The outsiders are Betsy (Julie Davis) and her fiance, Jimmy (David Garver). Betsy is a Cooper; but, appalled by her family's eccentric, bohemian ways, she has gone over to the enemy, working a 9-5 job, paying rent and taxes on time, dressing and acting respectably. Ditto Jimmy, who is some kind of businessman and wheeler-dealer.
When Betsy comes home to not only show her fiance off but reform her wayward parents, the clan fights back noisily and self-righteously. This makes poor Betsy freak out. "Grow up and get a life," she shrieks at them.
She's driven even more crazy when Jimmy, whom she has counted on for support, suddenly takes their side in the battle, having been charmed by the family's zany, nonconformist ways -- and by Betsy's sister's (Pandora's) charms.
The farcical elements of Just 45 Minutes from Broadway are many, but there's also pathos, sadness and flashes of darkness to balance things out. Playwright Jaglom (who is also a distinguished indie filmmaker) comes down strongly on the side of his fellow-soldiers, of course. His theme reiterates what Irving Berlin sang long ago: "There's no people like show people."
