Alright Then

Reviewed by Dana Martin
Pacific Resident Theatre
Extended through April 15th

Orson Bean and Alley Mills’ love connection is as unlikely as it is heavenly. The longtime married couple may have a 22-year age gap, but the chemistry, love and friendship they share is timeless. The pair are playful and affectionate throughout the evening, though much of their narrative tells of heavy childhood trauma and familial strife, too often taking the pair away from conversation with one other.

The piece itself feels like two one-person shows rather than a single blended one. Both actors play peripheral roles in each other’s narrative quite effectively. Both are excellent character actors, and often capture the essence of each individual in their recollections with imaginative detail. Mills is an elegant performer and re-creates her beloved childhood nanny splendidly. The story of the couple’s relationship is the more compelling subject matter; it’s an amalgam of their personalities and quirks, and the energy between them, but it’s told in too brief summation.

Bean is the star of the evening — singing, bantering playfully, and telling stories for 90 minutes: an impressive feat at 89 years old. He demurs but cheerfully complies when Mills prompts him to tell off-the-cuff celebrity encounter stories, and he’s one hell of a storyteller. He’s a classic entertainer: a song, a dirty joke, and storytelling at every turn. He sings sweet songs a cappella throughout the evening, occasionally joined by Mills.

Direction by Guillermo Cienfuegos is spare and the pace of the show is relatively tight. The play’s structure is excellent, albeit slightly over scripted. Lighting design by Matt Richter is simple and specific and helps to fill in the space, making the performances feel cozy and intimate.

One of the most interesting moments of the evening comes when Mills tells of being physically and verbally assaulted in Central Park during a school outing as a teenager. She was later suspended from school after the administration refused to believe her story. In light of recent headlines, it’s a timely reminder that women who have the courage to speak their truth deserve the dignity and respect of being heard and believed.

Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice. Thurs.-Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m.; Extended through April 15th. 310-822-8392 or www.pacificresidenttheatre.com. Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission.