Debbie Fabiano's eternally yours [sic] explores the accidental deaths of Vincent and Susan Tarezzio (Ted Falagan and Alicia Wright) and their subsequent traditional Italian wake. The stereotypically squabbling couple and their dog Tippy, en route to a vacation destination, are more intent on arguing than watching the road. Micha Hamilton's Mama Tarezzio is right on, an authentic grieving Italian mom. Kevin Hettinger plays brother Dominic, dramatically overbearing and occasionally over projecting. Orrick Smith's off-stage voice booms with authority. Debbie Fabiano, Jamie Danielle, and Nichole Huntley round out the cast. Danielle's dumb blond plays well against the railings of the ultra-dramatic Italians. eternally yours is amusing throughout, with a few touches of pathos.
Definitely a good opener for this evening of one acts. The Darklings is Ted Falagan's contribution. Set in the mythical land of Brashier, all are resplendent in period costumes and ready to thwart the evil that controls the land. The very striking Cara Divine is Marion, whose job it is to find Garen (Michael Leone). Of course, the evil Eric (Kevin Hettinger) has to be dealt with. Ted Falagan successfully plays dual roles. Falagan usually includes at least one fight scene, and The Darklings has the proper bit of jousting. Music selections are excellent, a perfect setting for the drama.
Michael Conley's Five Endings delves into five possible break-ups to an affair. Director Orrick Smith is Perry and Page Dagget is Nicky. Conley's five scenarios have probably been faced by most of us at least once in our lives, and the piece offers an interesting and excellently acted exercise for the two as power and control shift from her to him, from the breaker to the breakee. With the same set pieces, they convincingly establish four different settings in this five-scene play.
Merry Samhain, actor/playwright Kevin Hettinger's absurdist comedy, closes out the current offerings. Joanne Chen, as the Witch, has a giant load of dialogue that she handles capably. Ted Falagan's Zombie, quite the opposite, probably could count his words on his fingers and toes. Robert Dey plays a Vampire not quite sure of his status. Playwright Hettinger plays the Angel and leader of the group. The acting, throughout, is good. Chen's dialog is much too complex, to the point of not being understandable. I am sure a rewrite will give the Witch less demanding verbiage. Playwright Hettinger's script does offer some interesting commentaries on life, death and the Halloween season.
Fault Line Players are now playing only two weekends, but open on one Sunday. Most productions run about two hours with intermissions. They certainly give us an opportunity to see new and decidedly different works. My standing complaint, though, is that often the various directors confuse volume for drama. This is a house with less than 40 seats.
