A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Divorce
Reviewed by Taylor Kass
Skypilot Theatre at Two Roads Theatre
Thru September 11
The only thing harder than marriage is divorce. And the only thing harder than that is making divorce funny – a feat that Skypilot Theatre’s world premiere of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Divorce actually accomplishes. This production of Jeff Gould’s new treatise on loving divorces and loveless marriages, under the direction of Marc Antonio Pritchett, attempts to be a rollicking farce and heartfelt exploration of love all in one. Although it’s fun and watchable, it lands somewhere in the middle of its two goals.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Divorce is essentially Waiting for Godot — but in this case, Godot is a divorce mediator who gets into a series of impossible delays, giving six prospective divorcés plenty of time to explore the nuances of their failed marriages. Carol and Brian (Laura Walker and Ian Nemser in the show I saw; the production is double cast) are the first to arrive: he’s anxious and oblivious to his wife’s needs, she’s high-strung and controlling. Tanya (Bri Ana Wagner) is divorcing her husband Ken (Anthony Backman) after she discovered his affair and he discovered her secret bank account. Angie (Marie Pettit Greggson) is a therapist squabbling over assets with her sarcastic soon-to-be ex Doug (Corbin Timbrook), although the true source of their disconnect is a family tragedy.
The three former couples, with nothing else to do, dive deep into each other’s relationships, flaws and mistakes. The character’s psychoanalyses of each other is a little too on the nose, particularly from therapist Angie, but it’s nearly impossible to capture the nuances of three marriages in a neat 90-minute package. A Funny Thing Happened is at its best when it leans into its quick and witty dialogue; with this tight ensemble of comedians, even divorce draws big laughs.
Skypilot Theatre at Two Roads Theatre, 4348 Tujunga Ave., Studio City; Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; through September 11 (preempted Aug. 13 & 14, Aug. 20 & 21). Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission. https://divorce.brownpapertickets.com
