LOVE…or Best Offer

Reviewed by F. Kathleen Foley
Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre
Through March 19

Phil Olson, author of some 18 published plays, many of which have been widely produced, is nothing if not prolific.

If LOVE…or Best Offer, Olson’s current world premiere being presented by The Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, is reflective of Olson’s previous efforts, it just goes to show that appealing to the lowest common denominator may be the surest road to success.

For the over-50 lonely hearts in the play, the pursuit of love in the digital age presents a host of “comical” complications. Financially independent widow Cheryl (Stephanie Colet) is being hectored by her friend Lori (Kathleen Delaney) to swing back into the singles scene via an online dating website. Recently divorced tech mogul Stan (Doug Haverty) is also being pressured to try online dating by his pal and chief executive Dave (Marc Antonio Pritchett).

Stan and Cheryl sign up for the same website and have their first date via Zoom. Cheryl is still in the grip of grief and feels that no one can replace her deceased husband. Stan, whose much younger wife just took him for 30 million in their divorce proceedings, has no such reservations and immediately decides that Cheryl is “the one.” Meanwhile, man-hungry Lori and sexist Dave deliver spectacularly wrong-headed advice from their opposite corners. When Cheryl drags her feet and refuses to meet Stan face-to-face, their Zoom romance grows ever more cutesy and unlikely with each passing scene.

However, even in comedy of the broadest stripe, emotional perspicacity is paramount. Olson tries for depth by giving Cheryl a special needs daughter and an estranged son, but those accouterments are superficial at best. The fact that the immensely wealthy and successful Stan, who should be twice-bitten from his disastrous divorce, remains such a naïf goofball, strains credulity, while Cheryl’s refusal to meet Stan face to face is frustratingly repetitive. Oh, Stan does keep his wealth secret from Cheryl, but when she belatedly learns he is rich, she’s so angered by his “deceit” she’s ready to kick him to the curb — a trumped-up plot device more fitting for Hallmark than a legit play.

Director Doug Engalla, who has worked with Olson on several previous projects, keeps the action frothy to a fault, but to his credit, that’s probably the best possible tack with this material. Delaney and Pritchett try their best, but their characters seem cynical and cursory. And by the time Colet and Haverty manage a genuine emotional connection, it’s time for the curtain call.

Lonny Chapman Theatre UPstairs Stage, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood; Sat., 4 pm.; Sun., 7 pm; through Mar. 19. (818) 763-5990 or thegrouprep.com. Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission.