Justin Gubersky and John Barbarotta (Photo by Susan Gasparyan)
Reviewed by Martίn Hernández
Brickhouse Theatre
Through April 12
Justin Gubersky and Jay Valles (photo courtesy of Write Act Rep)
The six original short plays presented in this year’s Write of Spring Festival Series focus on “firsts,” from first crushes to first car crash to first threesome. It is a mixed bag of sorts, ranging from the mundane to the mildly entertaining in both text and performances. Introducing each play is Persephone (Autumn Gubersky), the Goddess of Spring, festooned in medieval regalia and guiding us through the myriad works with her coy presence.
In writer/director Jorge A. Pulido’s “The Enigma in the First Car of the Manhattan Bound C-Train,” shy stockbroker Brooks (Jeremy Bassett) recounts falling in love at first sight with fellow subway commuter Maya (Mindy Le). However, Brooks’ s pick-up scenarios are just his imagination, with his struggles for a successful opening line thwarted by his awkwardness and by Joe (R. Eric Hill), a more assured and dashing passenger. The cast perform Pulido’s increasingly bizarre situations with confidence, especially the clever twist at the end.
“Wild Heart” is writer/director Susan C. Hunter’s thoughtful homage to P-22, the mountain lion who captivated Los Angeles after he was discovered by research video cameras roaming Griffith Park in 2012. Real-life Museum of Natural History wildlife biologist Michael Ordeñana (Jay Valles), who first glimpsed P-22 (a sinuous Jay Gubersky) on the recordings, recounts their decade-long bond as they commiserate on life, love, and nature. Valles’s Miguel and Gubersky’s P-22 offer up warm kinship that emphasizes the need for coexistence between humans and the natural world.
“Hit and Rita,” written and directed by Abigael Peltonen, depicts an auto accident as a clown show, with her characters sporting outlandish makeup and costumes and maneuvering cardboard cars. While driving to a job interview, Rita (Amelia Mackey) is struck by drunk driver Doug (Meilyn Luo), who flees the scene who flees the scene before a frizzy bewigged and bungling cop (Adam Kroksh). arrives to complicate an already frazzled situation. Peltonen’s whacky premise is undermined by tepid jokes and the performers’ middling comic timing.
Long-term couple Brody (Justin Gubersky) and Edward (John Barbarotta) are vacationing in Waikiki in writer Thomas J. Misuraca’s bittersweet “On The Surface,” directed by Chris McGriff. As Brody and Edward soak up the sun, their conversation turns to first crushes, with Kroksh portraying each one’s unrequited love in dreamy flashbacks. While Brody and Edward both regret their losses, they realize in the long run that, just maybe, the failures shaped their lives for the better.
Writer/director Darrin Yalicki’s “The First Third” finds Sasha (Makeda Diggs) and Morgan (Alyssa Lomosad) spicing up their flagging relationship with a threesome. Once third party Bailey (Le) departs, Sasha and Morgan realize this attempt may well have revealed even deeper fissures in their romance. This devolves into a formulaic argument between Sasha and Morgan over who is at fault in their teetering connection.
“The Anti-Strike,” by writer/director Anne T. Mesa, pits Angela (Luana Holtz), a first time social justice protestor, against her work friend Raymond (Hill), a long time activist, as she questions the effectiveness of marches and demonstrations. Angela’s disillusionment sets Raymond off on a mission to boost her morale and keep her in the struggle. Their perplexing roundelay takes an unexpected turn, revealing childhood events shaping Angela’s life. While the vague activism of the characters rings hollow, Holtz and Hill ably portray supportive friends looking to make true change, both personally and politically.
Write Act Repertory at the Brickhouse Theatre, 10950 Peach Grove Street, North Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., 7:30 pm, Sun., 2 pm, Sat., April 4, 2 pm; thru April 12. writeactrep.simpletix.com Running time: one hour and 40 minutes with an intermission.
