at Son of Semele
Few productions have more successfully stripped bare the "love story" genre until what remains is the pure essence of love and story. For 75 minutes actors Sarah Boughton and CeCe Pleasants, under the guidance of director Donald Boughton, symbiotically join with Daniel MacIvor's wonderfully understated script to form a touching, engrossing, and joyous evening of theatre that has the power to leave us smiling through tears an hour after experiencing the unforgettable climactic scene.
The deceptively simple story is broken into two segments: the characters commenting directly to the audience about their relationship history, then acting out seminal events from the previous several years. It begins as Liz (Boughton) and Mitch (Pleasants) meet near camping equipment in an outdoor-activities store. Their mutual attraction is offset by the funny coincidence that both straight women mistakenly believe the other is a lesbian. MacIvor spends the remainder of the flashbacks and alternating commentary proving through small, seemingly insignificant moments that real love transcends definition.
Sarah Boughton and Pleasants exude honesty to a point where they seem to become the characters. Whether addressing the audience through direct, up-close eye contact or talking to each other, they have no false moments. Awkward, garbled exchanges by strangers give way to confidently overlapping dialogue delivered by closest friends. Pleasants' expressive singing voice is ideal for a heartbreaking song (ukulele accompaniment composed by Alexis Lynne Pavenick).
Director Boughton uses the small stage well. When the characters meet, they roam the space, not making contact, until an emotional connection is made, and their eyes, for the first time, lock on each other, and all action ceases. The consistently restrained direction adds punch to the few highly charged moments. There is no set, and Brandon Baruch's basic lighting is harsh during the commentaries and softer during the flashbacks. But no more is needed. The cast and crew trust MacIvor's words, and he doesn't let them down. Theatrelovers should not miss this production.
Presented by SJB Productions at Son of Semele, 3301 Beverly Blvd., L.A. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m. Apr. 4-26. (800) 838-3006. www.brownpapertickets.com.
Reviewed by Jeff Favre