BELLEVILLE by Carol Kaufman Segal

            The Pasadena Playhouse is presenting Belleville, a new drama written by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award winner Amy Herrzog.  It is directed by Jenna Worsham.  Billed as a modern day Hitchcock-style drama, I did not see it as such.

            When we first see Zack (Thomas Sadoski) and Abby (Anna Camp), they appear to be an idyllic couple, newlyweds living a great life in Belleville, a section of Paris.  Zack’s job prompted them to move to France.  But when Abby finds Zack at home one day, she questions him as to why he is not at work.   Following his lame excuse, their ideal marriage begins to disintegrate, as well as does the entire play.  They battle one minute, make love the next, until their ideal life together finally falls apart.  We see the results of their situation as Alioune (Moe Jeudy-Lamour) and his wife Amina (Sharon-Pierre-Louis), property managers of the apartment building, are cleaning out the apartment as Abby rushes out. (Lovely scenic design by David Meyer)

            I did not consider Belleville a suspense-filled production nor did I find myself caring about what was happening to the characters.  Even though I found the play, itself, uneasy to watch I appreciated the expert performances by Thomas Sadoski and Anna Camp.

            Belleville continues at the Pasadena Playhouse through May 13, playing Wednesday through Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2 PM and 8 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM.  The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Ave., Pasadena.  Tickets are available at the Playhouse Box Office, by phone at (626) 356-7529, or online at PasadenaPlayhoose.org.