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Timeshare

Reviewed by Pauline Adamek

The Eclectic Company Theatre

Through Dec. 13

Steve B. Green’s black comedy Timeshare is set in the cutthroat world of high-pressure sales, and while some thematic similarities to Glengarry Glen Ross can be seen, don’t expect any David Mamet-style pyrotechnics.

Green’s play – which he both directed and produced – not only feels underworked and far too close to a rough first draft, it also is in desperate need of an independent director’s focus and guiding hand. Performances from the large cast of 14 players wildly vary from naturalistic and well-honed to hammy and overdone.

What Green does do, with varying success, is mine the dark comic potential of his setting. The story centers on a team of (mostly) loser hustlers who desperately compete with each other as they try to convince couples to purchase holiday timeshares. Problem is, most of their potential customers are not interested in the spiel, but simply there for the free flat screen TV.

The playwright fills most of Act 1 with amusing character studies before his story takes an abrupt turn into more dramatic territory. Pretty soon, it’s the salespeople rather than the hapless customers who are the ones being held hostage, and they have to rely on their slick sales patter to talk their way out of danger.

Tony Pauletto is good as the central character Tom, who is new to the sales game but desperate to succeed and patch up his broken marriage. At first he seems not cut out for the job and expresses remorse at forcing deals on people who clearly cannot afford what he’s selling. Then comes the hostage drama in Act 2 which really brings out the best in him.

Frank the office manager (Jon Mullich) is a loud, blustering and obnoxious team leader prone to sprinkling his cheerleading pep talks with corny catchphrases (“We’re in the making people happy business!” ) and horrendously awkward similes.

Jack (Kerr Lordygan) is smarmy and aggressive, coupling his pit-bull personality with a rapid-fire delivery.  When his bravado crumbles though, his insecurities are revealed.

Sarmarie Klein (she really nails the New Jersey accent) is great as the confident Christine, the team’s sexy and most successful salesperson.  Travis Quentin is good as Mike, the former ball player turned salesman who’s hot for Christine. He strikes a good balance between pumped up jock and lovesick puppy.

There’s some sly humor throughout, and some of the slick sales patter is mixed with probing and insightful observations. But the play’s pacing feels off and the story’s trajectory woefully imbalanced. Timeshare has the potential to be as slick as its characters; it’s just not there yet.

The Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; through Dec. 13. (818) 508-3003 or www.eclecticcompanytheatre.org; Running time: 2 hours and 10 minutes, with one intermission.