ON THE MARKET
by Guest Reviewer T.E. Klunzinger
This relatively new comedy by Jason Odell Williams opened last night at the Williamston Theatre, and for what seems like a long time you think there’s no plot, just a series of stale old visual set-ups about the dangers of online dating. But then, gradually, it starts to change: it’s a pleasant surprise.
Dani Cochrane deftly explores the full range of emotions as real-estate agent Charlotte, who lost her husband to cancer 29 months ago and has been trying to, well, find herself ever since. She has been helped, or not helped, in her quest by her well-meaning but clumsy co-workers' Diane and Frank, bumbling attempts to play Cupid which only mirror what’s happening in the real world – or is it the other way around?
Yolanda David and Patrick Loos get to play not only Diane and Frank but lots of other characters along the way, subtly deepening their accents and cornball characterizations as the play moves toward its logical denouement. The fact that this works is a true testament to the need to use Equity Actors at the local level.
And as the one character(s) whom you come to realize isn’t really there, Brian Sage shows how indispensable he is to the overall success of the play.
It should be noted that this is the third in as many normal-length plays to open in recent weeks, which have no intermission. Is this because volunteer candy-sellers are a dying breed? Is it because theatre candy is no longer profitable? For whatever reason, the intermissionless play is fast inflicting needless aggravation on the unwary audience member.
Oh, and, the basic plot of this play is: grieving real-estate agent happily finds love. Simple as that. So if you can see “On the Market” by October 22, you should.
Tickets and info at http://www.williamstontheatre.org