In the Wings
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Sroka, Reid, Hartley, Schaub, Hager
Photo by Ed Krieger
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By Joseph N. Feinstein
Using the play-within-a-play technique, Jerry Sroka's In The Wings opened to a packed crowd at the Whitefire Theater on April 4 for a five week run. Stars Annette Reid as Julie and Daniel Hagan as Sam, the director, carry the imprint of the semi-autobiographical play's infertility theme to its logical conclusion.
Director Don Eitner has assembled an inspiring cast including Sean Moran as George, the play's stage manager; Mariette Hartley as Mary, Julie's mother; Liz Sroka as the loony Carolyn; Gregg Bryan as Rick (impersonating Groucho); Will Schaub as Tony (with "movie star" looks); and Mr. Sroka, the author, in a small, but meaningful role as playwright, Murray. Unfortunately, Mr. Sroka's acting is better than his writing.
There's a lot of silliness, quite a few puns, and, when serious and only when serious, does the play offer some sensible words and ideas. Says Carolyn at one point in the rehearsal, "The ad libs are funnier than the play!" She's right.
During the eighty-five minutes, you will be given insight into the fragile egos of actors; the difficulties of creating a play; the questions of infertility, false pregnancy, and the psychological implications inherent in the problem. At times, it may be puzzling when the play begins or the play-within-the play ends.
One of those major interruptions took place for me as the couple sitting behind us laughed loudly at anything and everything spoken by the actors. It was irritating, distracting, and upsetting. "Hello there!" (laughter) Carolyn throws up (laughter) "I can't get pregnant!" (uproarious laughter). Investors should be barred from opening night!
In Julie's final words to her husband Sam about their personal problems with infertility she says, "Sam, we should wear a sign, 'We tried'. So does In The Wings....vaingloriously.
In The Wings Whitefire Theater 13500 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks 91423 Tel. 323-960-7735
Plays Friday and Saturday @ 8:00 p.m.; Sunday @ 3:00 p.m. Tickets $25 www.inthewings.org. EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE 1
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