Stuff happens. So goes the adage (okay, slightly tweaked) we’re all familiar with. But on the flip side, there is a higher calling, and it’s happening now on Playcrafters’ stage.
Up next is the romantic comedy, Love Happens, by the very popular yet relatively unknown playwright Rich Orloff, “who is celebrating 30 years since his first play was produced,” said veteran Actor/Director Paul Dake, making his directorial debut this season at Playcrafters. Orloff’s work has been published seven times in the annual Best American Short Plays series, more than any other playwright in the last 20 years.
In a blend of “irreverent compassion,” Orloff’s style of work takes its cues from the frothy fare of a typical Friends t.v. episode while adding another layer of drama and depth of characters who are easy to relate to. His work is also highly praised in the same vein as a Neil Simon production.
The story takes place on the west coast in San Diego and follows the lives of two couples (two generations apart) in the span of a year. Each is at a different stage in love. Thirty-somethings Tom and Donna (played by Christine Martuscello and Eric Rupp), who portray a feminist with a lackluster job and an aerospace engineer, respectively, are new to their relationship. The older couple (played by Barb Hannevig and Dan Gudema) is celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
As the younger couple’s love life develops a twist of angst and complications arise, the older couple is quick to lend advice. In turn, the philosophies of the younger couple influence the older pair-parents, who are having issues with their grown children. Throughout the friendship they develop with each other, each couple is able to learn and grow.
Ideals, commitment, parenting, compromise…all are examined under the guise of humor in this true-to-life comedy.
“There are some great one-liner jokes,” said Dake. “It’s both funny and serious. I was lucky to have four really good actors who can interpret the lines to draw out the humor.”
“Are you gay?…no, just liberal.”
The play takes place in eight different staging areas, including the gym, a locker room, a cafe, an apartment…but as Dake points out, “the focus is on the characters-their relationship and (the intent of) their words.”
The writing reflects true-to-life situations and is geared to an adult audience.
“They talk about sex and having sex, but that’s about as bad as it gets,” said Dake. “And there are a few curse words.”
Although there is no formal “talk back” at the end of the show, Dake mentioned the story line may give rise to some serious impromptu discussions on the car ride home.
As with any relationship, there are questions that most have addressed at some point: Can I accept the other with all of his/her flaws and differences? How much do I have to compromise?
The show may be a mirror to your own experiences. Hopefully, everyone will be able to smile at the end as the drama on stage resolves one way or the other. Much like our own.
If you go:Playcrafters of Skippack presents
Love Happensat the Barn2011 Store Road @ Rt. 73
Skippack, PA 19474November Nov 19, 20, 21, 28 at 8pm
Nov 22, 28, and 29 at 3pmTickets: $17.00
Info: 610-584-4005<www.playcrafters.org>