RELATIVELY CLOSE @ NORTH COAST REP

“Relatively Close”: North Coast Rep's Staged Reading Series Serves Up Sherman's Play on Delightful Family Dysfunction
 

Words by Kristen Fogle
 
Two weeks after seeing his staged play “Beau Jest” at the Avo Theatre, playwright James Sherman makes another appearance, this time with his recent work “Relatively Close,” which was performed as a rehearsed reading at North Coast Reparatory Theatre (NCT) on Monday, April 23. (Sherman himself made an appearance at the end of the reading, answering questions about his piece via a Skype Q&A with the audience.
 
Like “Beau Jest,” Sherman explores another quirky Jewish family, but that’s where the similarities fade. At the helm, or so she thinks, is eldest daughter Jan, a bossy politician, who with her Persian husband Yousef, also qualify as the wealthiest of the family members. Beth, the middle daughter, is a (sort of) serial monogamist, on her fifth (?) marriage to an African American, poet-quoting provost of a university, and has a son, Dylan, a product of her third (?) marriage. Last is social anxiety disorder (or S.A.D.) diagnosed Marlene who has been married to two faced Ron for over fifteen years. The siblings (and partners) have gathered at their parents’ seaside home to decide the fate the house after their father's passing. Do they sell the home? Do they keep it? Do they turn it into an artist's retreat? (Yes, this is an option, at least to Beth.) A surprise in the end reverses roles in the family and the outcome of the house becomes decided by way of this shift.
 

Directed by Matt Thompson, artistic associate at NCT, he also performed in the piece, utilizing his always great comedic timing as Ron, with seven other accomplished performers. Lisel Getz (Marlene), as his wife, is charming and quirky, especially when she over explains her jokes...and when her "puppet friend" comes out. Mueen Jahan, as Yousef, who I have not seen on stage prior to this performance, has a dry stoicism about him which makes for several unexpected chuckles. His wife Jan, played by DeAnna Driscol, with her flippant "What can you do's?" and manipulative nature make her one of the funnier cast members. Erika Phillips is good as Beth, who gets quite a few one liners in herself. Shaun T. Evans plays underappreciated, overly educated Arthur, who struggles with the crazy family he has inherited. Young Andrew Moore attempts Dylan and mostly succeeds as the pissed off youth of the group. Rounding out the group is Cindy Lewis who reads the stage directions.
 
“Relatively Close” is just that—almost there. Sherman, who has a longstanding relationship with Chicago’s Victory Gardens, just saw his play produced there under the direction of Dennis Zacek. NCT is contemplating bringing the play to San Diego audiences, but I'm not too sure. For one, the script could stand to go through perhaps another round, hopefully fleshing out the women's roles (the why behind these roles). What I would have liked to have seen was some exploration of the personality types they had. Jan's was partially explained; as a result of Beth's man stealing, she probably formed into this abrasive, no nonsense type...but why did Beth see the reason to man steal or acquire husbands in the first place? Why was Marlene so painfully shy? There are some funny moments when the trio bickers, but this piece could have been even more heartfelt in places. Also, the action of the play takes place in all these rooms and spaces in the house—would this play be better served somewhere besides NCT? The Lyceum could tackle this one; so could the home of Sherman's other recent SD staged piece: Vista's Avo Theatre. Things to think about.
 
At any rate, I am really enjoying these free Monday night treats that NCT serves up. On what is (much of the month) a dark night for theaters across the county, NCT exposes us avid fans to new, interesting work. Keep it up and we'll keep coming.