More times than I care to count, I'm asked, "Why do you bother reviewing (insert smaller community theatre name here)?" I often brush it off with the answer of "If I don't, who will?" Except for the East Valley's dedicated Max McQueen, based on the reviews of most critics in this town, a lot of people would think that Valley theatre ended at the Herberger/Orpheum/Gammage triumvirate. My reasons are more than that, though. Attention must be paid to people who dedicate their free time after jobs, chores, and family obligations to such a difficult proposition as mounting a play. While I respect and admire theatre professionals who make their oft and regretably meager livings from the arts, I feel credit is due to amateurs who "act out of love," as the Latin derivation is defined. As a reviewer, I'm an amateur who critiques out of love, and so it wouldn't be fair for me to ignore those who perform, direct, and design out of love.
And that leads me to Is What It Is Theatre, a company that is the epitome of that classic definition of "amateur." No one there is making scads of money for plying their art. If anything, most who work there are losing money in the proposition, but they love the act of creation, and so pursue this maddening trade. People like Artistic Director Tom Leveen, and their current production director Lisa Arnseth have been driven since high school to create theatre. While they lack the money and resources of larger companies, they've been able to mount several respectable productions. Their current production, entitled Amateurs, is a cute script that deals with a tiny Connecticut community theatre company and the various loves, petty hatreds, and general squabbles that surface during an opening night party in which a local critic makes an appearance. It's the perfect script for this company, as they've lived through so much of the plot, it's almost tailor-made for them. The cast of nine is a large one for their studio space, but rarely is everyone on stage. While not every performance is polished, there is an earnestness portrayed by everyone that goes a long way to making this a pleasant evening of theatre.
The show is set at the cast party of publicity manager Dorothy and her loony husband Charlie. The attendees are an interesting bunch: quiet audience member Nathan with aspirations of stardom involving his ventriloquist dummy, Horace; lead actor and aging roué, Wayne; lead actress and Hollywood hopeful Jennifer; comedic cutup and long-suffering wife Ernie and Irene; Wayne's former love interest, the rather young Mona; and the guest of honor himself, local celebrity theatre critic Paul. All the usual tangles ensue, although the farcical first act ends with a whiff of potential tragedy, and the second act is a more somber, realistic affair that threatens to split the amateurs apart.
The strongest actor in the ensemble cast is not the greatest performer, but the one who has brought the most spirit to his character. Jason Carney is given the task of playing the role of a man who has been driven non-violently insane by the loss of his son. His is a role of anachronistic observations and silly actions, yet it is because of Carney's sweetness and lack of pretentiousness that he keeps everyone in stitches. Leah Shellhorn's performance of his wife is nearly as successful, even as her offering is more presentational than the script seems to call for. She keeps a Donna Reed style chipper attitude throughout, and it fits Arnseth's screwball comedy direction. Also impressive is Kane Black as the wallflower Nathan. His success comes from the little things that he and Arnseth have incorporated into the character, such as an unnoticed switch from punch to Vodka during a difficult transition, and his incongruous and hilarious vocal change at the end of one of Horace's monologues.
Jim Ferry does a good job as the obnoxious cutup Ernie, although he sometimes seems a bit forced. Michelle Burchfield's Mona is cute, although when she isn't getting the chance to be quirky, she disappears from the scene. Disappointing, though not through lack of trying, are Anthony A. Henderson as Wayne and Laura Pawlowski as Jennifer. While there's supposed to be a heavy sexual tension between the two, it never ignites. Henderson is too young to be an older cad, and Pawlowski is too quiet to be the "ballbuster" she's often proclaimed to be. Juan Guzman, Jr. does a good job portraying the slightly pompous critic, Paul.
Michael Peck's set and Jeff Scrugg's lighting are some of the most ambitious the company has tried, and work very well.
Recently, Is What It Is has scored notice from Kyle Lawson and Robrt Pela. They've responded by remaining true to their original mission, while ratcheting up their production values. The growing ensemble has announced an ambitious summer schedule, including the company's first musical. Their enthusiasm and commitment warrants more attention. That is why I review Is What It Is Theatre.
Production Details:
Amateurs by Tom Griffin
Is What
It Is Theatre
The Studio One Performing Arts Center, Phoenix (For a map to location, click this
link)
(480) 994-9495
March 15th - 30th, 2002