Shasta College’s new play “The Scene” opened last Thursday, and though director Robert Soffian described it as a comedy, to me it seemed more like a character study with some funny moments and plenty of drama.
Written by Theresa Rebeck, it’s a modern play set in New York City that also packs a healthy amount of social commentary. It’s a somewhat bleak glimpse at the priorities of these modern Americans, and Rebeck makes her points well.
The four-person play centers around Clea (Alex Casavant), a sexy young blond who came to New York six months ago from Ohio and is still trying to find her footing. She will eventually ensnare Charlie (James Hutchison), a married, out-of-work actor, in an affair.
Also along for the ride are Lewis (Mark Teeter), a normal, somewhat awkward man who is friends with Charlie and his wife, Stella (Jaridann Williams), a television producer with a lot of responsibility on her plate.
Clea uses her sexuality to gain advantages, then turns on those who question her about it. She has enough self-awareness to keep herself from being completely alienated, but she’s desperately trying to find her place within “the scene” of New York, exclusive parties or otherwise.
Casavant gets Clea pretty well, especially when she becomes mesmerized and energized by Charlie’s long rant about having to suck up to soulless power players who might control his future. It’s at this point she makes her play for Charlie because she views his passion as one of the few “real” things she’s encountered in New York.
Hutchison fits well as Charlie and is especially convincing in his long speeches. Williams is also impressive as Stella, perhaps the most challenging role of the bunch. She’s exasperated at the shallow Clea and agitated at Charlie and Lewis for failing to remove the twit from their orbit.
Teeter, who I thought was brilliant in last spring’s “Eurydice,” makes Lewis very awkward in his own skin. Teeter is an actor with a lot of natural charisma, but he has to play understated here.
Tone is always a difficult task in a play that explores character, but these four pull it off pretty effectively. There were a couple of moments where I felt things becoming a bit melodramatic and shrill, but then they rescued themselves.
Rebeck’s dialogue is strong enough that sometimes subtle delivery might trump amplitude.
Oh, and about that dialogue. If you blushed or were offended by my use of the F-word in my last post: be forewarned. This play drops the big daddy with complete regularity.
There was also a warning about brief nudity, but unless I was asleep, all I saw last Friday night was skimpy lingerie worn by Casavant. Make no mistake, there are adult themes.
I like that Soffian picks provocative and challenging material. He’s directed some of the best shows I’ve seen in the area. He’s had some misses, too, like anyone who tries hard and pushes the envelope.
I’d say “The Scene” is somewhere in the middle for him.
I like how Rebeck explores the vacuousness of “The Scene” of New York, which could easily be expanded to other pockets of our American culture. What priorities are rewarded and for what reason? At one point, Charlie rants about the three-story “gods” illuminated in Times Square.
I think it’s a theme that resonates real well right now.
“The Scene” continues at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23, 24 and 25 at the Shasta College Theatre. Tickets are $8 for adults.
