Subtitle: 
Program 2 (or 3)?
Total Rating: 
***
Opened: 
June 16, 2005
Ended: 
June 18, 2005
Country: 
USA
State: 
California
City: 
San Diego
Company/Producers: 
Countywide Actors Association theaters
Theater Type: 
Regional
Theater: 
Lyceum Space
Theater Address: 
Horton Plaza
Phone: 
619-640-3900
Running Time: 
2 hrs
Genre: 
One-Acts
Author: 
various authors
Director: 
various directors
Review: 

Oh Dear! is written and produced by George Soete, directed by Terry Scheidt and stars Peg Humphrey and George Soete. Soete plays a bitter, angry old man who has alienated everyone, even his wife at times, with his antagonistic attitude. She puts up with him, almost. Thus, they are never invited out and nobody ever calls or stops by. At least that is what we are led to believe. Humphrey and Soete bring us a convincing performance.

Happiness is produced by Liv Kellgren and written and directed by Michael Hemmingson. It stars Joey Landwehr, Liv Kellgren, Brandon Walker and Jolene Hui. Define happiness if you can. Is it two young lovers? Is it a fine restaurant with a view? Is it the relationship of a couple that may have just been together too long, but with so many shared interests? Or is it the pure joy of robbing somebody with a gun pointed at them? Or could it be wearing women's underwear? Hemmingson's play may not answer any of these questions, but it certainly poses them. The cast develop their roles quite nicely, each with some interesting quirks.

Prague Spring is produced by playwright Ruth Eigner and directed by Edwin Eigner and stars Walter Ritter, Veronica Murphy Smith, and Michael Dean Grulli. It's the summer of `68, moments before the Soviet tanks roll into town to end Czechoslovakia's short attempt at democracy. A middle-aged East German couple are in Prague on their honeymoon. He is a strident Communist, and she seems to go along with his beliefs. She was born in Prague and speaks Czech, which makes it easy to order at the restaurant. The conflict builds to a surprising ending.

Serial is produced and written by Allyson Collins with Frank Teplin directing. It stars Matt Wilson and Allyson Collins. Matt Wilson plays a serial killer attending a cocktail party. Allyson Collins plays a ditzy attorney. If the man wasn't a killer, he would soon want to be. It's amazing to watch Wilson maintain a stoic presence as Collins barrages him with totally inane comments. Quite funny and definitely a study in character opposites.

Places is written and produced by Michael Thomas Tower and directed by Tim West with Jerry Monroe and Jeff Wells in the cast. Jeff Wells, who was brilliant as the ventriloquist's dummy in the previous night's Fest offerings, plays a young but good actor doing a second-rate road-show with a seasoned actor played by Jerry Monroe. This is an interested contrast of two opposites. Wells is over-the-top every second of the time - even as Monroe is quiet and subdued.

Living Will is a one-page play by Michael Hemmingson. What thoughts go through the mind of a person in a coma? This is one explanation with a happy ending.

Homecoming is a one-page play by Todd Blakesley. Similarly, this young lady is also in a coma, but has been brought home by her parents. Her father leaves her with her mother, who cannot leave. She does all of those motherly affections. Playwright Blakesley has a feel for the agony a mother must go through with a daughter in this condition.
Another program of challenging one-acts and one-page plays. The festival is like a tasting bar at a good restaurant; there is always something for everyone.

Cast: 
see review
Critic: 
Robert Hitchcox
Date Reviewed: 
June 2005