THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 16, 1995 TAG: 9511160644
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Theater Review
SOURCE: Montague Gammon III
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
``Weekend Comedy'' is pleasant enough. At times it is even ``cute,'' as one Little Theatre of Norfolk patron remarked Thursday night. Though it tries to be insightful now and again, it never tries so hard that it preaches some particular viewpoint or philosophy, except perhaps the distinctly un-radical ideas that different people can learn from one another and that the institution of marriage is both demanding and important.
The plot of Jeanne and Sam Bobrick's little fable about contemporary romance concerns two couples who find themselves booked into the same, isolated, one-bedroom cabin on Memorial Day weekend.
Frank and Peggy are in their fifties. Frank owns a small office supply business, but is something of a dullard. He approaches the idea of a vacation without enthusiasm and the concept of change with more than anxiety. His wife Peggy, inexplicably devoted to him, is trying to break him out of his mundane routines.
Into their rural retreat come young Tony and Jill, an unmarried, demonstratively affectionate couple celebrating the third anniversary of their first full weekend together.
Born to wealth, Tony works in the family real estate investment business. He drives a Porsche, while Frank drives a station wagon. Tony has packed catered frozen gourmet dinners of lobster, duck and the like, while Frank has brought a dozen brands of highly sugared dry cereals, which he eats straight from the box.
The couples reveal to one another both the strengths and weaknesses of their own attitudes toward love, commitment and life in general as they come into conflict. They also become something like friends, thanks to Peggy's open-minded attitude and intelligence.
Both the conflicts and the comedy were decidedly low keyed last Thursday night, when the audience numbered no more than a couple of dozen devoted patrons. One suspects that the cast's energy was at something of a low ebb that particular evening.
It wasn't always clear that the players were attentive to the subtext - the content that lies beneath the surface of the dialogue - that the Bobricks placed in their script. While there is supposed to be a civilized veneer over most of the clashes between Tony and Frank, it is probably a mistake to take at face value every polite statement the two men make to one another. It would make more sense to invest many of their early civilities with at least a touch of irony.
Still, the acting was smooth, competent and believable, and director David L. Burton cast his actors especially well. Raynor Craft has the right looks and sound for Frank, as the young veteran Bob Scott does for his role of Tony. Lauren Leah Ruehring shows strength and consistency throughout the show in the least demanding role of Jill. She and her character both come into their own as the play nears its end.
The performance that was most interesting, because it was so intelligently crafted, was that of Connie Wakefield as Peggy. She makes a strongly favorable impression in her first appearance, but it is more important that she holds a viewer's attention by her attention to detail.
Director Burton also designed a good looking set, which Jim Loria lit effectively. ``Weekend Comedy'' tells a likable story and the characters are innocuously appealing. The show is just what its name implies, a passing diversion that provides a restful holiday from anything serious or troublingly significant. ILLUSTRATION: AT A GLANCE
What: ``Weekend Comedy'' by Jeanne and Sam Bobrick.
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Little Theatre of Norfolk, 801 Claremont Ave.
Tickets: 627-8551.
by CNB