Comic Potential
It’s another winner by Alan Ayckbourn, the very prolific British playwright who seems to have an endless imagination. Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre in North Hollywood is presenting Comic Potential, a very futuristic comedy by Ayckbourn that is sure to keep you entertained and laughing throughout.
In whatever future time it is, the Director Chandler (Chris Winfield) is producing a soap opera along with his two assistants Prim (Nancy Van Iderstine) and Trudi (Laurie Morgan). Working on a soap opera is a bit different in this future day and age since the actors are all robots known as “actoids” who are programmed to play their parts. Arriving on the scene is the station owner’s nephew Adam (William Joseph Hill) who has visions of becoming a comic scriptwriter. (In a programmed production, there are no scripts!) However, left alone in the studio with one of the actoids (Katie Kocis), she suddenly becomes more human as she begins holding a conversation with Adam revealing her name to be Jacie. He decides then and there that he will write a comedy for her as he finds himself falling in love. Can a human truly find love with a robot? Can a robot really feel love for a human? In this rip-roaring
comedy, deftly directed by Stan Mazin with a superb cast, each and everyone sparkles in their roles. Some of the members of the company perform as more than one character. Rounding out the cast are Edgar Mastin, Krissie Luke, Britt Chichester, Lareen Faye (as the very funny Carla), Oona Mekas (who alternates with Katie Kocis), Klair Bybee, and Britt Chichester. This play is a real “hoot.” Recommended.
Plays Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through May 18, 2008
Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre
10900 Burbank Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA