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Café Society
Reviewed by Deborah Klugman
Odyssey Theatre
Through Oct. 11.
There are several hearty laughs to be had as the credits roll on Peter Lefcourt’s clichéd comedy, which is set in a West L.A. Starbucks where a homegrown terrorist is holding people hostage.
Since it takes place locally, it’s no surprise that the scenario includes a would-be screenwriter (Eric Wentz ) and an actress (Chandra lee Schwartz). The two are held captive in the coffee house along with a hard-ass money manager (Eric Myles Geller), a real estate agent (Susan Diol) determined to close a last deal come what may, and a homeless guy in a tutu (Ian Patrick Williams) who believes he’s Princess Anastasia Romanova of Russia. All five customers interact with the barista, Darnell (Donathan Walters), a Yale dropout and a sweet sensible guy originally from the streets of South Central.
Martin (Nick Cobey), the person holding them hostage, is an angry young malcontent demanding to speak with the Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz about the perfidies of his capitalist empire. Despite their doubts, the frightened captives try their best to make this happen, proffering their cellphones and advising Martin on the best way to publicize his grievances.
Under Terri Hanauer’s direction, the production benefits from a few good lines here and there, and a gimmick wherein people’s desperate text messages are captioned on the back wall had me cracking a few smiles.
Schwartz, her timing terrific, shines as a wannabe star desperate to get to an audition (She keeps getting called for different roles and changing her clothes to suit each one.) The setup is familiar but the performer’s consistently smart and funny delivery makes one laugh all the same.
As straight-man to the silliness around him, Walters is quite good; his naturalness anchors the play. Cobey also mitigates the repetitive and overwritten aspects of his role with authenticity and a skillful rendering. Geller is well cast as the noxious finance guy.
On the other hand so many of the jokes – especially those surrounding Williams’ delusional cross-dresser and his simpering mien – are witless and juvenile. You have to wade through a lot of banal stuff to savor the show’s funny parts.
The Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., WLA; Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m., through Oct. 11. (310) 477-2055, www.odysseytheatre.com
