ALWAYS--but not forever
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O'Donnell, Frederick, Fraser
Photo by Paul Smith
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By Joseph N. Feinstein
The motivation to write a play usually comes from some immediate event in the playwright's life. When Henry Jaglom experienced his divorce a generation ago, he created the film Always at the urging of his good friend, Orson Welles. It was written from the man's point of view. Recently, Jaglom sat down and, because of his love and admiration for the actress Tanna Frederick, rewrote the script in play form, telling the story from a woman's point of view. It opened at the Edgemar Center For the Arts on October 19 for an eight week run and stars Frederick and a strong cast of six actors. It features original music by Brent David Fraser.
Frederick plays the part of Dinah who steps into the spotlight to announce her impending divorce from Jack, played convincingly by David O'Donnell. After this brief introduction in which she relates her total bewilderment at the reasons her husband left her, we meet the rest of the characters: visiting friends, Eddie (Bryan Callen) and Lucy (Kelly DeSarla); Jack's sister, Peggy (Samantha Sloyan); and her boyfriend, Maxwell (Brent David Fraser), who sings some original music as the bridge between scene changes. The dual role of Notary and father is played astutely by Michael Fairman.
What we experience is two hours of approach-avoidance, the going away and returning, the complexity of Jack and Dinah's emotional involvement, and the vacillating feelings of both as Dinah tries to understand the reasons their marriage dissolved. Director Gary Imhoff creates a series of interactions by each of the characters, allowing us further into their lives, into their mind-sets. Thus, we walk away with some feeling for all of them, for we have gotten to know them well. Set Designer Chris Stone has used the rather large stage very effectively, making us believe we're seeing an entire house. Lighting Designer Edward Cha handles his many cues with excellence, keeping the spotlight exactly where needed.
Essentially, what we see are three couples: each searching for the elusive goal of happiness in their relationship; each somewhat hell-bent on allowing their ego to take first place with their partner's concerns ranking a distant second. Can love work under these conditions? Can Dinah bring Jack to his senses and have him return? Can sister Peggy convince her drifter boyfriend, Maxwell to marry her? Can Lucy forget her baby long enough to give her husband Eddie the love he needs? Will the notary refuse to sign the divorce papers? Will Dinah ever cook a meal for Jack? The answer to these questions and whether or not you'll see a "happy" ending are all reasons for you to see and enjoy Always--but not forever. I'd recommend that you go!
ALWAYS-but not forever, Edgemar Center For the Arts 2437 Main Street Santa Monica 90405 Tel. 310-399-3666 www.edgemar.org
Friday & Saturday @ 7:30 p.m.; Sunday @ 5:30 p.m. Tickets $20 Until Dec. 9
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