On Theater: One-acts take over OCC this weekend
The one-act play is alive and well at Orange Coast College. A dozen of them will be unveiled this weekend only at OCC’s Drama Lab Studio Theater.
Billed as “original and published one-act plays for mature audiences,” the program, which opened Thursday, continues Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. Curtain is 8 p.m. for the evening performances Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. for the Saturday and Sunday matinees and 7 p.m. for the Sunday evening session.
In Series A, which will be presented Saturday afternoon and evening, OCC student Shawn Greenfield kicks things off with “The Mediation,” a play he wrote and directs, focusing on a divorced couple. The cast is composed of Lauren Hamilton, Devon Suraco, Nicole Stier and Austin Christian.
Next is “The Lover,” an oldie from the late English playwright Harold Pinter. Lauren Hamilton directs a cast that includes Brooke Fuller, Michael Canas, Sara Kerr and David Miles.
Joan Forster’s “A Perfect Match,” about computer dating, follows, under the direction of Matt Ammar. The cast features Lauren Hamilton, Myles Warner, Katie Brooks, Rami Eldefrawy, Michael Canas and Sara Kerr.
Provocatively titled “Savage Sex (Madame Poisson’s Guide to Health, Wealth and Murder)” is an entry “for mature audiences” by DW Gregory. Joon Hur directs a cast composed of Sara Kerr, Matt Duran, Myles Warner, Leo Martinez, Michael Canas and Ashley Wypick.
Writer Franz Kafka has six months to live in “In Bed With Kafka / Kafka in Bed” from playwright Neena Beber. Leo Martinez directs Lauren Hamilton, Katie Brooks and Austin Christian.
Jimmy comes home from college and reveals to his family that he’s coming out — as the Antichrist — in Keith J. Powell’s “Jimmy the Antichrist.” Ashley Wypick, Kat Briones, Robert Souders, Nina Sharifi, K.C. Norton and Michael Canas comprise the cast under the direction of Aspen Ford.
The six plays from Series B will be staged Friday and Sunday evening, as well as Sunday’s matinee. They include:
“Burley Que on Our Side,” written and directed by student Kym Hainley, examines broad comedy as a serious part of modern theater. The cast includes R.J. Brownfield, Chris Dickson, Rami Eldefrawy, Amanda Morgan, Nicole Stier, Myles Warner and Greg Weinreich.
A couple (Brooke Fuller and Devon Suraco) battle confusion in “I Can’t Think of It Right Now,” a comedy by Nick Zagone, directed by Chelsea Scable.
“Calamity Jane: A Chatauqua Talk on Her Life in Deadwood” was adapted by OCC’s Kym Hainley and is being directed by Alex Parkin. Hainley herself takes on the role of the Wild West legend, with Chris Dickson as a saloon owner.
Death, time travel and drama are the ingredients of “Brownstone 213,” written by Ann Cerv and directed by RJ Brownfield. The large cast consists of Sara Kerr, Myles Warner, Davis Miles, Michael Canas, Dale Koizum, Greg Weinreich, Robert Souders, Levi Esparza, Nicole Stier, Victoria Stanton, Emily Cordova, Lauren Hamilton, Chris Dickson, Devon Suraco, Kim Mendoza and Austin Christian.
“Wham! Bam!” is billed as a play for mature audiences, written by Bruce Kane and directed by Alejandro Rivera. Lauren Hamilton and Matt Ammar comprise the cast.
Finally, OCC will offer famed playwright George S. Kaufman’s “The Still Alarm,” set in a hotel where occupants “play it very cool and calm.” Tyler Koontz directs a cast featuring Sara Kerr, Kim Mendoza, Matt Ammar, Austin Christian and Dale Koizum.
Tickets are available at the OCC bursar’s office by calling (714) 432-5880 or online at https://www.occtickets.com. They will be sold at the door for $7. OCC is at 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa.
TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot.
