I’m always happy to write about a play that deals with my “more mature” age group. After all, we Baby Boomers have always been among the most prolific generations on this planet — influencing trends and driving commercial markets. So, it seems only right we should also monopolize the stage!
“Grand Horizons” does just that at Alameda’s Altarena Playhouse through Feb. 23. Here award-winning playwright Bess Wohl offers a timely portrait of long-married adults seeking a divorce and a glance at the large senior housing communities that have taken root in most communities.
According to Altarena Director Angela Mason, “The phenomenon known as ‘gray divorce’ has grown in the last 20 years where now more than a third of all U.S. adults going through a divorce are over age 55. Miss Wohl started her career as an actor and certainly knows how to write witty dialogue,” wrote Mason in her director’s notes. “Yet alongside the very funny scenes and laugh-out-loud moments, we also see the poignancy of people wrestling with what it means to be in a relationship where love, commitment and honest communication can break down over time.”
A word to the wise, be careful when gazing upon Tom Curtin’s delightfully homey set. You might think you’ve taken a wrong turn and ended up in one of those senior communities and possibly observing all too familiar conversations.
Set in the living room and kitchen of Bill and Nancy’s cookie-cutter home, the couple’s adult children (Brian and Ben) find themselves shaken to the core when their parents announce their marriage of 50 years is over. While the boys can’t make sense of why mom would ask for a divorce, Ben’s wife Jess totally understands Nancy’s need to have her independence. Of course, that all changes when the older couple cordially discuss Bill’s girlfriend Carla and Nancy confides intimate details of her long-time affair with an old lover.
Harkening back to TV sitcoms and the era of Neil Simon comedies, the show includes plenty of funny one-liners and situations.
Anyone who has ever been in a long-term relationship will connect with the automatic responses over a meal. Wohl chooses to open her play with a long-established breakfast routine where nary a word is spoken. It ends with Nancy’s line, “I think I would like a divorce” and Bill’s answer: “All right.” From the next scene on, things are not quite so routine as the couple’s adult sons and pregnant daughter-in-law move in to straighten out the obviously confused seniors.
Here is a formulaic Neil Simon-type comedy that drops little verbal bombs you’d never hear in Simon’s work.
One telling scene has Nancy completely freaking out her youngest son Brian as she describes her affair in graphic detail. Another has daughter-in-law Jess speaking for Nancy as she tells everyone to listen to her mother-in-law while constantly telling Nancy not to interrupt.
Perceptively directed by Mason, who sets a nice energetic pace to the action, the show features a talented group of actors with Ellen Brooks as Nancy and Ron Dritz as her husband Bill. Tyler Iiams portrays elementary school drama teacher Brian with Peter Marietta as the elder brother Ben and Laura Morgan as Ben’s take-charge wife Jess.
Adding substantial comedy to the mix are Thomas Hutchinson as Brian’s one-night stand Tommy and Lori Mrochinski as Bill’s very funny girlfriend Carla.
For tickets, call 510-523-1553 or go to altarena.org.
Lafayette: Whether you prefer to be “shaken” or “stirred,” Town Hall Theatre promises “a pure treat” with “The James Bond Experience” featuring Deborah Del Mastro and her band.
The dynamite singer/actress, who toured throughout the United States in the popular “Nunsense” musical, picks up a new habit as she celebrates over 60 years of cinema’s coolest secret agent. Whether you prefer the suave sophistication of Sean Connery or the modern edge of Daniel Craig, Del Mastro will help you relive the electrifying Bond magic with the stories behind the iconic films and live renditions of many of the 25 James Bond theme songs.
“‘The James Bond Experience’ is more than a tribute to an iconic film series,” said Town Hall Artistic Director Richard Perez. “It’s a celebration of the music, stories and cultural impact that have defined generations.”
The event takes place Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at 3535 School St. in Lafayette. For tickets, go to townhalltheatre.com/james-bond-experience.
S.F.: Join multi-talented stage, television and film actor, singer and songwriter Cheyenne Jackson for a Valentine’s Day celebration of his newest show “Signs of Life.”
Jackson brings this musical meditation on art, love, fatherhood and the cosmic twists that have shaped his remarkable path to the Chan National Queer Arts Center on 170 Valencia St. in San Francisco for two performances at 6 and 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 14.
Tickets are available at sfgmc.org.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.