Fringe Reviews: Three Tables

Jesse James Thomas and Victoria Bullock as a couple on a blind date.

Presented by Samedi Productions

Reviewed by Dany Margolies, reprinted courtesy of www.ArtsInLA.com

Three couples at various stages in their relationships occupy three tables in Dan Remmes’ 25-minute “piece” that unfortunately doesn’t quite meet the standards of a “play.” Its length is not the problem: LA theatergoers have seen two and a half minutes of theater that affected us for life. It’s the lack of revelation in any area that keeps this piece from jelling.

The strongest of the performances comes from Victoria Bullock and Jesse James Thomas, playing a couple on a blind date. Jocelyn Hall and Jerry Chappell are paired up as a couple celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary, and Kyle Felts and Liz Heathcoat play two people divorcing, only one of whom seems to want that divorce.

Tory Marcon gives the tableaux a needed boost of energy, playing the friendly, competent waiter.

Considering the static action, the visuals are fairly interesting, helped in large part by a producer’s generous hand in providing sparking glassware and colorful flowers.

If the audience is the fourth table here, we ought to be more easily able to eavesdrop. May we remind a few of the actors here that projection is needed, even when you’re in a 40-seater.

Sam Vieira directs.

www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/768