Beginning the one-act comedies of Let Me Call You Sweetheart, The Naked Truth by Tom Sivak has Scott Vitale aiming to be slick as an emcee of an improvisational theater show. But he’s discombobulated when Amanda Helsey’s bold Georgie takes the stage to act out her fantasy: appearing onstage in the buff. Rules get Scott’s emcee into the act that Georgie’s Boyfriend (Logan Junkins, somewhat weak) isn’t about to let get overly improvised. Thank goodness for Cindy Schlotterback’s good intrusion to uphold goodness. Director Jenny Aldrich Walker lets actors overdo underplaying for a tepid beginning to Starlite’s comic series. Guaranteed by James McLindon has director Mark Woodland comically staging an attempted bank robbery by hooded Robber Brannon Westfall. He’s not only inexperienced in getting money but also the legal implications of his efforts. But he’s given more than he needs to know by bank Teller Cindy Schlotterback. She’s a bit too fast in explaining everything from a legal point of view, but it’s obvious she has learned welll the law-school lessons she’s taking. By the time Policeman Mark Woodland (sometimes played by Daniel Greene) arrives on the scene, the loser has become a lover and Teller’s personal life has changed as well. The Hetero Chorus Boy is Jack Gilhooley’s depiction of Sean, a straight but closeted Broadway chorus boy, who comes out when he’s torn between a gal he loves (pretty Rachel Knowles) and his friend who romantically loves him (Amanda Helsey, perplexed and perplexing). His revelation shakes up the whole theatrical world. Logan Junkins plays the dancer without a partner. Kathy Junkins directs the controversy in a tepid manner. Co-Dependents by Jack Gilhooley and Jo Morello, directed by Mark Woodland, brings back married playwrights Charlie and Marie Williams who separated in Connubial Bliss, done by Starlite Players last January. Each had wanted to pursue writing separately -- he with comedy, she with ethnocentric drama. The present play begins as both have realized they want each other, professionally and romantically. As they hotly kiss their way into an attempted reunion in their own bedroom, the phone rings. In a resulting new break-up, single life gives each a jolt and one into a financial mess, the other into jail. How do sexy Joseph Giglia as Charlie and smart Andrea Keddell as Marie finally merit a Couple of the Year award? They’ve been lucky to escape from Daniel Greene’s fake cowboy Rudy and an entrapping policewoman (Heather Foote). A fine follow-up to the co-writers’ previous play has here a fine cast and direction.
