Forty-Second Street Workshop One-Act Festival (1999): Series C

In Charlie & Flo, the latter, an attractive widow (Celeste Mancinelli), meets her son Charlie's (Darien Scott Shulman) high school teacher Jerry (Bart Tangredi) and, after a slow start -- Flo can't readily forget her deceased husband -- sparks ultimately fly. Charlie, Jealous, cannot forgive his mother for "being unfaithful" to his deceased father. There are backs and forths between all, and ultimately a positive conclusion is reached. A nice, warm family story, well acted by the three plus Charles E. Gerber, who plays a bit as the Waiter, and does a fine job as director. In The Discussion, three actors -- Greg Skura, James Shanley, Stephen Girasuolo -- portray one man in conflict over a current relationship: Does she want commitment, does he want commitment, does she want too much of his time? etc. Cleverly and simply staged by Wayne Maugans, with the men in tuxes facing front somewhat formally, this short piece is both funny and biting.

In Paris is a long and complex one-act set in Paris in the early 30s. Nikolay (Flavio Romeo), who frequents a particular cafe, soon becomes smitten with luscious waitress Olga (Snezhana Chernova). It is rumored by some -- Andrea Clark Libin and Kurt Elftmann who play various roles -- that Olga may be a kept woman. That is never clarified. More important is that Olga and Nikolay develop a real romance only to have it cruelly destroyed by fate, with any changes experienced reverting at the end to what had gone on at the beginning.

Under Aleksey Burago's direction, the style of this piece melds lyricism, romance, and theatricality, lifting it above what could have been a pedestrian showing. Nice work by all, particularly the women, Chernova and Libin.