In scope and timing, Shooting Staris a perfect choice for Milwaukee’s Boulevard Theater. With only two actors in Steven Dietz’s play, both (Jaime Jastrab and Anita Domnitz) have plenty of room to roam on the postage stamp-sized stage in this 50-seat house. And the theme – an unexpected encounter with an old flame – could not be timed more appropriately than around Valentine’s Day.
In fact, if one is facing this Valentine’s Day without a significant other, it may be even more important to make a beeline to see this production. Dietz’s hilarious commentary on why people split up – and why they stay together – is a reminder to boomers everywhere of why it’s sometimes best to let the past stay in the past.
In this case, Elena and Reed, two former friends and lovers, have a chance meeting in an airport. They met decades ago on the UW-Madison campus, and lived together for almost two years. As they spot each other in the terminal for the first time, each expresses his/her internal thinking. “Time hasn’t touched him,” notes Elena. “She looks like hell,” says Reed, while standing a safe distance away. The “his” and “her” reactions to the same situation get some of the biggest laughs in the play, which zooms by in a fast-paced 90 minutes.
A winter storm strands them for the night, and all sorts of scenarios play out (in their heads as well as in “real life”). Occasionally, Dietz has his characters speak directly to the audience. This establishes a close bond between actors/audience and is effectively handled by the actors. Both characters show their warts along with their good qualities. Elena is still mired in her “hippie” days, which haven’t blossomed in the way she thought they would. Reed has gone “corporate,” like many of their former friends from college. She still needles him about this. “There always was a piece of “red” in you that I couldn’t get out, like a stain,” she muses. He defends himself by noting his annual contributions to PBS TV.
The play doesn’t mine new territory here, but Dietz serves it up with a skillful, funny and sometimes touching formula. Jaime Jastrab and Anita Domnitz are well-matched in this war of words (which eventually leads to a more physical encounter near the end of the play). Jastrab is particularly talented in the way he fidgets, hesitates, and blurts out his dialogue while trying to explain his choices in life. Although Reed is drawn to Elena, he was always the “realist” in their relationship and understands the consequences of rekindling an old fire. Elena, too, has had her share of hard knocks in life. She is able to walk a fine line between being the idealistic, carefree hippie and someone who must be mature about what she’s to face at her destination.
Although the play is geared for baby boomers, it is certainly worthwhile viewing for audiences of all ages. Under the helm of director David Oswald, the play has a unique, quirky and definitely humorous charm about it. If you aren’t brave enough to take your current partner to see Shooting Star, then by all means, grab a buddy and see this show.
