ICEBERGS by Carol Kaufman Segal

            The Geffen Playhouse is presenting the World Premiere of Icebergs written by Alena Smith and directed by Randall Arney. The play takes place in a home in Silver Lake (beautiful set design by Anthony T. Fanning), a section of Los Angeles and, most likely, the present.   It features Calder, his wife Abigail, and their friends, Reed, an old school chum of Calder’s, and Molly, Abigail’s childhood friend and neighbor, all in their thirties.

            Reed (charming Keith Powell), Calder’s former college roommate is a college professor from Missouri.  He was invited by Calder to spend the night since he was coming to LA to speak at a conference at UCLA.  Calder (delightful Nate Coddry) is on the rise of becoming a successful filmmaker.  He met and married Abigail (lovely Jennifer Mudge), an actress in one of his movies.

Abigail is stressed out and has panic attacks, relying on Molly (lively Rebecca Henderon) to calm her.  Abigail is concerned that her time to have a child is passing, but fears having one with the world in such turmoil.  Molly tries to console her by reading her tarot cards, hoping to give her some direction in her life.  However, it is obvious that Molly, who has a female partner, has problems of her own.  Meanwhile Reed and Calder spend their moments together discussing old times which relieves then both from the pressures in their lives. 

            Calder’s agent, Nicky (Lucas Near-Verbrugghe, the comic relief) stops by to discuss Calder’s new film, which they are hoping will be a big turning point in his career.  They are expecting a well-known actress to star in it to help launch its success, the reason for not offering the role to Abigail.  Nicky is very close to both Calder and Abigail, and after  listening to Reed’s problems with the world, and then Nicky’s, they all realize that what are the most important things of all in life are your family and friends.

            Alena Smith has hit upon very up-to-date situations in people’s lives and maybe it just hits the chord of some audience members.  Though the topic is serious, the comedy makes it enjoyable to watch.

Icebergs plays Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM and 8 PM, and Sundays at   2 PM and 7 PM, through December 18, at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte, Los Angeles.  Tickets are available in person at the Playhouse Box Office, by phone at (310) 208-5454, or online at www.geffenplayhouse.org.