Messed-up marriages, death and near death and executions comprise the themes for Fritz Blitz's fourth week. Funny, sexy, poignant, startling, satirical and compassionate are just a few of moods you will see. This is a good week to go to the Blitz.
Puppet Therapy, by Scott McMorrow and under the direction of Tim Irving, sets a mood of laughter as therapist, Dr. Nash (Lee Lampard), practices her art of puppet therapy while doing a crossword puzzle. Dr. Nash feels that spouses relate best by role-playing. Her patients, Adelaide and Peter Levine (Susan Hammons and Andy Collins) have issues with each other. The typical thing -- no sex for a year -- and he is looking for some outside activity.
The puppets and marital sanity take over. In fact, they take over too well. While Dr. Nash is busy with her puzzle, the young couple end up behind the shrink-couch with the puppets describing the action. The humor is watching the puppets act out as the couple act up. Dr. Nash's secretary, Michael Partouser (Bryce Chaddick), bookends the play with a delightfully snide attitude.
Body Shop, by San Diegan Jim Caputo and under the direction of Natalie Sentz takes a look inside a funeral parlor. Those who watch A&E's "Family Plots," shot at Poway Bernardo Mortuary, will not be shocked. Playwright Caputo brings a nice humorous touch as we listen to Mary (Pat DiMeo), an acknowledged professional mourner, talk to an Irish body. She complains about the fact that they couldn't do much about his large mid-section but is pleased they took the red out of his nose.
Enter Amy (Rachael Van Wormer), whose father is terminal. Mary, easily old enough to be Amy's grandmother, explains the facts of death, morticians and cosmetics, why the room is cold, and other salient details to Amy. She also becomes the older adult Amy needs now. The deceased on this day is Jack, a hard drinking, junk-food eating ol' sot Mary refers to as "Jack in the Box." The playwright, evidently an O'Henry reader, provides funny lines and nice touches at the end.
Ron Weaver's Time Share is a weird piece directed by John Anderson. We are in the electric-chair room of a prison. A scheduling gaff has two serial killers due to fry at the same time. Thus, the dilemma begins. Interesting staging, but the dialogue's weak.
The cast included Tim Alban, Tony Beville, Jonna Harrison, Larry Parker, Lori Pennington, and John Rosen. Memorable are the two females, playing nuns, who get the best, most sensible exchanges.
Seventeenth Wednesday by George Soete under the direction of Duane Daniels and Robert May, stars Terry Scheidt as Tommy. After 17 weeks of taking care of his dad once a week, relieving the caretaker, his father passes. Playwright Soete captures many of the feelings a son faces at the death of a father. (In 1983, my 81-year-old father and I had 12 wonderful days together before he died.) Tommy reflects on their different relationships over the years from childhood to the present. Scheidt is brilliant playing both Tommy and Tommy's father. Both characters are well delineated. Scheidt receives a deserved standing ovation.
Fritz Blitz Week Four is well worth seeing, with "Body Shop" and "Seventeenth Wednesday" more than worth the price of admission. Despite the recurring theme of death, this is an upbeat group of plays. There is one very sad element, though. No more one-acts until next year.
