SPLIT DECISIONS : Laguna Youth Theatre Examines the Byproducts of Divorce in Companion One-Acts

Divorce doesn’t happen overnight. Often, it is preceded by years of conflict that takes its toll on every member of a family.

The effect on children of parental warring and divorce will be explored in “Doors” and “Other Doors,” two companion one-act plays by Suzan Zeder opening this weekend at the Laguna Playhouse. Presented by the Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre under the direction of Kathleen Cannerozzi-Harris, “Doors” and “Other Doors” run Friday through April 26.

According to Joe Lauderdale, director of the Youth Theatre program, both works are appropriate for viewers as young as 7 or 8, but some lessons in the shows are designed specifically for adults.

“One of the things Suzan has said many times is that she loves to write plays about young people, not just for young people,” explained Lauderdale, who has kept in contact with Zeder throughout the rehearsal process.

“This is a play that parents are going to benefit the most from. The kids (in the audience) already know the feelings that are expressed in the play, especially if their family is going through a divorce. It’s the adults who are really going to learn.”

Seen through the eyes of 12-year-old Jeff, “Doors” and “Other Doors” relates the events before and after the divorce of his parents--the arguments, the reorganization of the household, the arrival of a parent’s new love interest--and chronicles the reactions to each.

Through it all, Jeff uses humor, manipulation and fantasy to cope with his frustration and anxiety, said Lauderdale.

Technically speaking, “Doors” and “Other Doors” do not have happy endings. Jeff’s parents don’t kiss and make up, and the boy must adjust to a radically different family structure. Nonetheless, Lauderdale still thinks audiences will find the plays “uplifting.”

“Through the whole process, Jeff is going through a lot of different doors in his life,” explained Lauderdale. “He’s experiencing a great deal of change and he’s pretty confused. Plus, he goes through the struggle of ‘it’s all my fault’ (and) feels like decisions are being made for him, which he really resents.

“But finally his parents sit down with him and say, ‘This is what’s happening. Ask us questions, we’ll try to give you answers.’ Finally, they recognize his need to understand what’s going on.”

According to Lauderdale, “Doors” and “Other Doors” were originally part of a three-act play written by Zeder in the late 1970s but never produced. “Doors,” originally titled “Through Separate Doors,” premiered in 1981 at A Contemporary Theatre in Seattle, and has received numerous productions since. “Other Doors” has never been staged.

“We’re approaching ‘Other Doors’ as a work in progress,” explained Lauderdale, who was named director of the award-winning youth theater in 1990. “Suzan has been working on the script with us through fax and mail, and has given our director a lot of freedom to integrate new things into it.”

Input from the cast, which includes four adults and two children, has been important in the development of both shows, noted Lauderdale.

“We paid a lot of attention to cast discussions” he said. “They spent the first week of rehearsals doing basic improvisations (about) what it feels like to go through this. The kids in the show have really volunteered their feelings, and that’s had a big effect on ‘Other Doors’ especially.”

Audience members will also have their say. A series of post-show discussions are planned with the cast and director in which viewers can ask questions and voice their opinions about the works, in a format similar to South Coast Repertory’s NewScripts program.

“Doors” and “Other Doors” fill the third slot of the Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre’s 1991-92 season, which included an environmental staging of “The Hobbit” followed by “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” and will close in June with the musical, “Snoopy!!!”

What: Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre Presents “Doors” and “Other Doors.”

When: Friday, April 17, through April 26. Performances are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Where: Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.

Whereabouts: From the San Diego (405) Freeway, exit at the Laguna (133) Freeway and drive south--it becomes Laguna Canyon Road.

Wherewithal: $4 to $6.

Where to call: (714) 494-8021.