ACTUALLY by Carol Kaufman Segal

          Actually is a two-person play by Anna Zeigler and directed by Tyne Rafaeli that aims to prove that when two people are involved in a situation, it is almost impossible to “actually” discover what really happened. 

          Amber ( Samantha Ressler) and Tom (Jerry MacKinnon) , two freshmen students at Princeton University end up very drunk in his dorm room.  The question is, after listening to what she says and listening to what he says, is it possible to “actually” know what really occurred?   Was it consensual, or was it rape, or do either of them “actually” know the answer?

          Tom, who is black, and Amber, who is white, meet on campus and become interested in each other.  Tom invites her to a party where they both drink a lot, and upon leaving together, end up in Tom’s room.  The end of the evening ends in a sexual encounter.   Was it rape or was it consensual sex?  Amber is urged to report the incident to the school, thereby becoming the accuser and Tom becomes the accused rapist. 

          The entire play takes place on a bare stage with two chairs set inside a box (set by Tim Mackabee).   Each one speaks to the audience as they try to characterize who they are and describe their backgrounds in an effort to defend themselves.  Did I really care who was guilty or innocent?  Not really in this particular case.  It could have gone either way.  How could I “actually” decide?

          Actually is playing in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theatre at the Geffen Playhouse, located at 10886 Le Conte Ave. Los Angles.  Performances are Tuesdays through Fridays, at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM and 8 PM, and Sundays at 2 PM and 7 PM, through June 11.  Tickets are available at the Geffen Playhouse box office, by phone at (310) 208-5454, or online at www.geffenplayhouse