Under the title, Skirting the Law, four sparkling short plays illuminate the announced theme, all quite differently. ‘Honest Abe’ Mazulu by Stephen Cooper takes its name from the lead (played by a forceful Michael Kinsey) from Gabongo, determined to get names of its citizens who’ve been illegally taking money out of the country and putting it into a Swiss bank. Mazulu threatens to kill its director (staunch Joseph Giglio), who refuses revelation to the point of death. His secretary (Philip Troyer, funnily fearful) can’t help. As directed by Ken Erickson, Mazulu’s action then brings a strong reaction from the audience, along with much justified applause. The fine accents used to depict the foreigners add to the play’s authenticity. Killer Date by David Abolafia hones in on a blind date between for-hire killer Gabriela (Grace Vitale, sophisticated) and Pete (Joseph Rebella, sharp at playing the opposite). He’s obsessed with his physical physique and all exercises, food, and drink that might affect it. Waitress Kristi (cool Lauren Ward) has an answer to all his questions about the menu and can serve Gabriela drinks that will keep her from killing Pete. Director Jamie Lee Butrum spices the suspense with comedy in this premiere production. Gram Scam by Cary Pepper has a con man (Joseph Giglia, ever striving to sound like a needy grandson) phoning Gram (Betty Robinson, wonderful), who will possibly send him $15,000, to Canada, if she can ever figure out exactly the amount he wants in what way and where and when. In walks her real grandson (Ren Pearson, rightly calm) just as Gram is revealing credit card info. Director Daniel Greene moves all along perfectly. At Sea Two Guys in Clerical Guise by Denis Meadows deals with burglars disguised in clerical garb trying to escape on a ferry with loot gathered up in a plastic bag after a hurricane. Tony, Rik Robertson’s leader of the theft, shows many reasons he gets exasperated with Ren Pearson’s apprehensive Joey. Then real bag lady Megaly (Lauren Ward), smartly sizing up the men and their theft, decides to get in on it. Mark Woodland had only three rehearsals to stage the show after withdrawal of an originally scheduled play, but one would never know that from his direction and his actors’ performances. Good work!
