Voice Lessons
|
Stewart, Metcalf, Flanagan
Ed Krieger
|
By Ben Miles
It's a rarified theatrical treat when artifice melts away and all that's apparent onstage is human interaction and believable character behavior. From the pen of playwright Justin Tanner ordinary situations are regularly tweaked, toned, under-toned, and scripted so that audiences can be made to feel as if they are observing real people in authentic, and strangely familiar, circumstances.
It's no wonder that Tanner has been called a modern-day Moliere. As the great French dramatist did in his day, Tanner constructs (ill)-mannered comedies inspired by the contradictions and absurdities of the present day. With plays such as Barbie and Ken at Home and Pot Mom, as well as teleplays for the small-screen programs My So-Called Life and The Gilmore Girls--Tanner has left an impression on the small world of Southern California theater and in the insular business of network television.
Currently, So Cal theatergoers have the opportunity to experience a Tanner world premiere up close and personal at Hollywood's Zephyr Theatre, extended through June 28. The show is called Voice Lessons, and in the intimate space of the Zephyr--under the scrupulous direction of Bart DeLorenzo--three performers, Laurie Metcalf; French Stewart; and Maile Flanagan bring it to life.
Virginia (Metcalf in a crowning comedic tour de force) is a community theater actress who thinks her artistry will be enhanced with voice lessons. "Ginny" searches out Nate (the marvelous Stewart), a once-renowned vocal coach, to assist her in achieving her aesthetic goals. Nate, however, is resistant to teaching this eccentric student. After all, Ginny is prone to disclosing volumes of unsolicited personal information. In fact, Ginny is a compulsive talker with obvious mental health issues.
Nevertheless, by paying three times the tuition fee of regular students, Ginny is able to convince the recalcitrant Nate to begin weekly tutorials with her. Each meeting between the two grows more bizarre, until finally Ginny discovers Nate's live-in lover, Sheryl (Maile Flanagan in an uproarious characterization), during an unexpected drop-by visit. What's more, Sheryl is Ginny's competitor and nemesis on the community theater scene.
Is Voice Lessons a commentary on art, aspirations, delusions, and/or disappointments? It could be. But, like the work of many gifted dramatists, Tanner's connotations will shift, or perhaps solidify, over time. Right now, though, this much is true: At only 75-minutes in length, the play is a memorable ensemble piece chock-full of comedy and played to-the-hilt by this creative team.
Voice Lessons continues in Hollywood at the Zephyr Theatre--7456 Melrose Avenue--through June 28. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sunday performances are at 7 p.m. For reservations, dial (323) 960-7711. For online ticketing, visit www.plays411.com/voicelessons.
|
