Time Stands Still

Reviewed by Neal Weaver
The Lounge Theatre
Extended through September 30

RECOMMENDED

In Donald Margulies’ drama, photographer Sarah Goodwin tells us that “time stands still” when she looks at the images in the view-finder of her camera. Without the camera, she observes, time marches on.

Sarah (Nicole Pacent) and her writer partner James (Jamie Zwick) have lived and worked together for nine years, covering wars and conflicts round the world. Recently they have been reporting on the conflict in Afghanistan at considerable cost to themselves. James experienced something so traumatic that he had a breakdown and had to return to the U.S. Elizabeth, who stayed on to continue their assignment, was badly injured by a roadside bomb which killed her Afghan fixer, who loyally assisted and ran interference for her. Now she is back at home, and James has nursed her through her ongoing medical problems.

Cracks are beginning to appear in their seemingly solid relationship. She tells James that after he left Afghanistan, she fell in love with her fixer and had an affair with him. James seems to accept this, but he becomes over-protective of her in ways that threaten her independence. When their editor, Richard (Paul Urcioli) proposes a book of her photos of Afghanistan, with a text by James, James insists that it is too soon for her to go back to work. He reluctantly agrees to the plan, but continually procrastinates, and when he finally produces a text, Elizabeth is appalled to discover that he has virtually deleted the important role of the fixer, whom she considers the hero of the story.

It soon emerges that the book is not the only thing James objects to. He is tired of their dangerous and peripatetic life, and wants her to marry him and settle down with him in the U.S. He accuses her of being an adrenaline junky for wanting to continue her life’s work. And he is envious of that work, which has made her a star photographer, while his more recent writing is being rejected. He’s tired of continually having to cover life’s dark side and just wants a comfortable life. She finds his attitude frivolous and begins to wonder if their relation can survive.

In his subtle and provocative script, Margulies examines a host of thorny issues, including the responsibility of journalists toward the people they are covering. The play asks whether they may be considered parasites for merely looking on passively at distressing events rather than intervening in some assistive way.

Director Joel Zwick has assembled a fine cast and directs them with sure-handed fidelity, using songs like “We’ll Meet Again” and “I’ll Be Seeing You” to bind the scenes together.  Pacent captures Elizabeth’s vulnerability as well as her fierce independence and ruthless critical intelligence. Zwick underlines the shock of a man who’s discovering that his supposedly imperishable relationship with his partner is perishable after all, while Urcioli scores as the editor who considers both partners as his friends and strives to be loyal to both as their paths diverge. And Kelly Fischer employs considerable finesse as Mandy, Richard’s blond bimbo wife, who becomes serious and responsible when faced with motherhood.

Chris Winfield provides the handsome loft set, and J. Kent Insay created the light and sound design.

The Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; extended through Sep. 30. https://www.goldstar.com/events/los-angeles-ca/time-stands-still-tickets. Running time: one hour and 45 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.