NINE WINNING ONE-ACTS by Carol Kaufman Segal

            This is the third year The Group Rep is presenting its Nine Winning One Acts, a play festival at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood.  This year the short plays were selected from over 250 entries from around the world and are presented together with one intermission.

            Act One:   Whose Plot Is This? by Pamela Weiler Grayson, directed by Linda Alznauer.  A man and his four wives meet in the cemetery after each has died.  A comedy, to be sure!  Clifford’s by Lawson Caldwell, directed by Cheryl Crosland, a father and his daughter are talking about her upcoming wedding when they meet a 63-year old neighbor who is also getting married but is met with intolerance.   A Misinterpretation of Events by Margie Semilof, directed by Bruce Nehlsen.  Phil has turned the family factory over to his daughter Laurie who, afterwards, has to fire him for harassing female staff.  The Librariest by Dan O’Day, directed by Jack Csenger.  A young couple discovers answers they weren’t expecting find at the library.  Blue Bench by Aleks Merilo, directed by Helen O’Brien.  A young boy sneaks into the tent of a traveling circus to spy on the “faceless man” and learns a lesson about family.

            Act Two:  Art Attack by Cary Pepper directed by Victor D’wayne Little.  Diane and Brendan visit the opening of an art exhibit.  They see the art differently and argue over it until it affects their relationship.  What is art to some is not always seen the same by others.  Infesting the Mob by Joe Starzyk, directed by Kathleen Delaney.  Two mobsters are relaxing and enjoying their espressos when an unexpected sinister stranger appears.  Are they in jeopardy?  The Unforgivable Sin of Forgiveness by Rich Orloff, directed by Stan Mazin.  When a wife admits to her husband that she has been having an affair, she somehow turns the tables on him and she becomes the one who was wronged!  Destiny & Damage, by Chris Shaw Swanson, directed by Barbara Brownell.  When Gina attempts to end her life, she is interrupted by an unusual stranger.  Does he have the power to change her plan?

            These short plays all have an anchor; they touch on today’s society.  They are presented twice a week with actors from the company sharing the roles at various showings.  The performers include Nick Asaro, Bix Barnaba, Michele Bernath, Barbara Brownell, Cynthia Bryant, Fox Carney, Stephanie Colet, Cheryl Crosland, Bert Emmett, Kait Haire, Doug Haverty, Mishia Marie-Johnson, Saana Laigren, John Ledley, Victor D’wayne Little, Stan Mazin, Lisa McGee Mann, Joseph Marcello, Helen O’Brien, Beccy Quinn, Michael Robb, Judy Rosenfeld, Adam Smith, Aidan Smith, Sal Valletta, Sascha Vanderslik, David Vu, and Wyatt Wheeler. 

            Putting on this production is a huge task and this company deserves a great deal of credit for a splendid job.   The creative and production team includes Kenny Harder (technical director), Steve Shaw (sound design), Doug Haverty (graphic design), Doug Engalla (photography /videography), Jody Bardin (stage manager), and Linda Alznauer (assistant stage manager).

            Nine Winning One-Acts is performed Saturdays at 4 PM and Sundays at 7 PM, through July 14.  Performances are presented Upstairs at the Group Rep, located on the second floor of the Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood (not handicapped accessible).  Tickets are available on line at www.thegrouprep.com, or by phone at (818) 763-5990.