My overall impression
TTHEATRE REVIEW #287 – Sleeping Around
“”TU Has Passionate Comedy ’Gold’– All Strung Together With Heart In “Sleeping Around”
Written By Lorenzo Marchessi
Another amazing experience at the Hollywood Fringe festival and Theatre Unleashed has a very fun and engaging play called “Sleeping Around” Perfectly titled, it strings together several stories and the eventual loops itself back to the beginning. No spoilers here, but when you see it – along with some amazing performances, very clever writing and some extremely diligent staging, “Sleeping Around” is something you will very much enjoy.
Very smartly written by Cesar Abella and quite nicely staged and coordinated by director Wendy Gough Soroka, this play takes a slice into the lives of nine people and how each person is either directly or indirectly related to the next. It was such a refreshing twist when everything came to ‘full circle’ at the end (because of the wonderful writing) – and then ended with a very symbolic image of all the actors standing in key positions across the stage (because of the wonderful direction) that was very haunting.
Sammi Lappin plays Angela a young woman who is exploring herself and sexuality. Sammi shows the nervousness of experimental with a stranger the idea of having sexual relations with total strangers. She is excited and anxious while really feeling the angst of possibly doing something that could affect her future in a non-positive way. She has a wonderful chemistry with her husband as well played by Jase and very emotionally charged responses.
Jim Martyka plays Donnie the man who is seeking some pleasures outside his normal parameters. A married man with an equally excitement/confusion and angst that makes for a wonderful mutual nervous scene with ‘mistress’ played by Sami, Jim gives his performance with an amazing intensity as well as a nice touch of curiosity that confuses what he should and shouldn’t do.
Courtney Sara Bell plays Elizabeth who is a character that comes to terms with her dealing with cancer and her husband’s idea of going outside their relationship. Courtney is extremely honest and her performance is that of real passion and consoling for the bleak future that may be her death. Her compassion really shines with her wonderful scenes with her husband played by Jim and watching her emotional growth was a real treat to watch.
Lee Pollero plays Ryan a young and inexperienced youth who is experimenting through finding an older woman to explore his own desires and sexual nature. His extremely fast delivery and perfect innocents with his character’s virginity makes for a very real scene as the ‘cougar’ played by Courtney and he has some wonderfully real moments together.
Brandi June plays Sophie who is a young, sexually active and wildly vain girl who is just crazy over her new boy toy she has discovered played by Lee. Brandi is bright and ditsy and sharp and realistically perfect as the peroxide blonde with an off-centered view of reality. Her energy and comic timing is such a fun experience to see and her colorful verbiage with make you laugh out loud.
Eric Cire plays Elliot a dispassionate person toward his roommate played by Brandi – but a passionate lover with his best friend played by Gregory. Eric gives a wonderfully emotional release of his true love for his confused best friend but is hysterical with his irreverence to Brandi and her self-centered, narcissistic habits. His conviction is unique in his performance and his actions make the scenes with Gregory very real and very intense as he truly emotes his love and passion for Gregory.
Gregory Crafts plays Sam who discovers his sexuality and the reality of his real sexual passions are with his best friend played by Eric and not with his current live-in girlfriend played by Jenn. Gregory is a large figure but gives an on stage energy with simple looks and desires while obviously relating to the audience what and who he really loves. Chemistry is abundant with each of his interests.
Jenn Scuderi Crafts plays Colleen the dutiful girlfriend of Gregory and realizes her situation is not what she expected. Learning her boyfriend is moving out and that her desires of falling for yet another person she intends to move in with (played by Jase) – her string of relationships is complete with confusion and neediness. Jenn is energetic and thoughtful while playing the needy card perfectly.
Jase Lindgren Plays Chris falls fast and furious for his new girlfriend played by Jenn but comes to terms with the fact he needs to end his relationship with his wife played by Sammi. He is strong and a little overbearing, but somewhat dispassionate about how he hurts his wife as he literally jumps into this new relationship. Jase and Jen, as well as Sammi, have some wonderful chemistry as they unwind their complicated lives together.
The story and pacing is smart. The string at which everything is tied together is clever. The performances are top notch. The ending and pose of the cast was picture-perfect and somewhat touching. Amazingly, you’ll see real people in these characters in the entire show.
Theatre Unleashed did an amazing job putting together this production of “Sleeping Around”. It is really witty, very funny in parts and centers around realistic relationships with realistic people – and – at the center of it all, all the characters have heart and real passion for what they want – or what they think they want. It definitely has adult themes, but it’s extremely engaging for the mature audience. I had so much fun – I think you will too! Check them out at www.TheatreUnleashed.org and tell them Lorenzo sent you from www.FaceBook.com/TheGeekAuthority !
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Pic 001 – Top L. – Brandis June – Top R – Jenn Scuderi Crafts, Gregory Crafts – Center – Jim Martyka, Courtney Sara Bell, Lee Pollero, Brandi June, Eric Cire, Gregory Crafts, Jenn Scuderi Crafts, Jase Lindgren, Sammi Lappin – Bottom L – Jim Martyka, Sammi Martyka – Bottom R – Gregory Crafts, Eric Cire
