It’s Only a Play, running for five performances only this weekend, November 20-23, at The Studio of Performing Arts in Grover Beach, is only one of playwright Terrence McNally’s many delightfully delicious works of art.
But, I dare say, it’s a show that can only be produced by “theatre people” who absolutely revere the theatre itself. And the fine cast members that have worked overtime to bring this production to you are excellent examples of “those” kind of people.
The plot, such as it is, is simple: the cast and crew (and apparently a bevy of unseen celebrities of stage and screen who have arrived wearing lots and lots of coats) have gathered on opening night to await the reviews of a new play that just opened on Broadway.
It’s witty in a theatrically vicious way, with Gary Borjan (flamboyantly sporting a black velvet cape) as the playwright of the play within the play (The Golden Egg) who is uncertain whether he’s laid one or found the golden goose. Let’s just say (spoiler alert) there wouldn’t be much to this show’s rather thin plot if his piece of art wasn’t described by one critic as—appropriately, it turns out, given the time of year—a “300 pound Butterball.”
The production, while dropping a lot (and I mean a lot) of famous names, is also full of four letter words that community theatre actors rarely get to recite onstage.”
The production, while dropping a lot (and I mean a lot) of famous names, is also full of four letter words that community theatre actors rarely get to recite onstage . . . over and over and over. (Whenever I feel frustrated in future, I will most likely recall the vision of Laura Richie as Virginia, a “seasoned” actress of stage and screen, heaving the “F” word in all directions—and doing it so memorably! It’s some of Richie’s best work.)
On the other hand, the beautiful and talented Sarah Ruth Smith, awash in a butter-yellow evening gown—is the show’s well-heeled (but often not well-spoken) producer who is hosting the soiree in her Manhattan apartment. She can’t bring herself to utter the “K” word out loud—causing one of her guests some consternation trying to determine which word she means. That guest is a conflicted TV actor (played intelligently by Hank Wethington) with whom we come to empathize, mostly due to Wethington bringing a spot of humanity to his role.
The other characters as written by McNally are mostly theatrical caricatures: the melodramatic director (a very physical Dakota Simpson at his best as an Englishman in a sharkskin suit, here also demonstrating impressive skill at directing the show itself); the critic-who-really-wants-to-write-plays-himself (an over-the-top but you-gotta-love-him Tom Ammon); and the naive young wanna-be actor (a congenial Kaveh Naficy, who gamely acts as our conduit, weaving in and out of the action on the show’s one set from beginning to end).
‘It’s Only a Play’ will show you what a group of your smart, talented, theatre-loving neighbors can do with a deliciously witty work of art.”
If you aren’t one of “those people”—i.e, someone who considers yourself an “insider” to stage life—you might be tempted to skip this production. If so, my advice is to go with someone who knows and loves live theatre—thanks to this show you may very well catch the bug.
If you ARE one of “those people,” then you simply can’t miss It’s Only a Play, if only to give yourself fuel for any theatrical ambitions you might harbor.
Either way, make plans to visit the small, intimate theatre at 835 Grand Avenue in Grover Beach. It’s Only a Play will show you what a group of your smart, talented, theatre-loving neighbors can do with a deliciously witty work of art.