Fault Line - Four One-Acts

Fault Line is one of the few theaters in town that give aspiring actors and playwrights their first exposure. In fact, scripts come all the way from an agent in New York for production and feedback to his clients. Most of their productions are multi-scene plays running around 30 minutes. It's an interesting form, allowing a full-length story to be told usually by short scenes - some, mere snippets - in the time period. It can also be disconcerting if scenes are too short. So when you come to Fault Line, you never know what is in store for you, and this month's productions are no exception.

C. H. U. B. S. (Cute Hefty Ultimate Babes) is written and directed by Deborah L. Fabiano. The cast includes Eric McClanahan, Cyndi McMiller, Cristina St. Charles, Marissa Vaughan, Alexander Nguyen, and Stephanie Jackson. Playwright Fabiano should think about fleshing this out into a full-length play. Her use of the language (humor), her subject matter (losing weight), and her comedic timing (as a director) make this production a sheer joy. Two women (played by Cyndi McMiller and Christina St. Charles) attempt half-heartedly to try various weight reduction methods. Greasy Spoon proprietor (Eric McClanahan) has a thing for generous-sized women but is shy. McClanahan's shticks are extremely funny. His comic delivery is perfect. Add to these three is Marissa Vaughan as a Jenny Craig counselor on speed, Alexander Nguyen as a gay workout coach with a touch of sadism, and Stephanie Jackson as sadistic aerobics instructor, and you have a purely hilarious half hour. The play ends in a food scene that is totally orgasmic.

Ted Falagan returns to write, direct, and play in These Dreams of Heaven and Earth. The action takes place at a mental hospital on an island near a big city that has a problem: patients have a terrible habit of being killed. Falagan's recurring character, played by himself, is Jack Hawkins, drummed out of the police force, but still owning a cop's instincts. He also has issues. One is a woman played by Marissa Vaughan. Dustin G. Sutter plays a strutting dubious doctor trying to hide the problem. Jack Vecchio plays a sadistic attendant. (Is there any other kind in drama?) The patients, all with some really strange problems, are played by Chuck Hart, Jazmin Steel, Melissa Martin, and Colleen McGloin. Falagan's dark side is quite apparent; The cast is total whacked.

Eric McClanahan wrote the last two plays on the program, starting with Now What. Like Fabiano, McClanahan has a deft way of handling the English language. His cast included Micha Hamilton (Felatio), Brandon Shaw (Brutus), Eric McClanahan (Braun Rick Brawn), Stephanie Jackson (Veronica Sexylegs), and T. Falagan (Dr. Twisted). Evil Queen (broadly interpreted by Falagan) is out to destroy 007 look-alike B. R. Brawn. His assistant, Felatio, enlists heavy-weight Brutus and Ms. Sexylegs to capture the martini-drinking hero. It's a silly story with some good word play and tons of sexual parody.

The evening ends with Mr. X. I think this would work as a full-length psychological drama. Because McClanahan has too much material to cover, it feels convoluted. His use of exposition, rather than action, slows the story down, even though it's necessary to keep the audience on track. His cast has some great moments. Jack Vecchio, as Mr. X, is very good as an amnesiac. Colleen McGloin as Mr. X's daughter, gives a compassionate performance. Cristina St. Charles, as Anoice, is powerful, albeit scary. Eric McClanahan (Jackson) plays a very angry widower. Melissa Martin, elegantly dressed in black, plays a shrink with a problem.All the characters are believable - but all is not what it seems.