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CHASING THE TWILIGHT

REVIEW

“Chasing the Twilight” Offers Unfulfilled Plot

Potential, Buoyed by a Super Cast at The Cast

In Hollywood

By Gerry Reeves  

     “Chasing the Twilight” is one of those frustrating plays that offers all the potential in the world.  Unfortunately, it fails to live up to the promise of its fascinating subject matter and sinks slowly under the weight of a sometimes confused and loosely defined plot, unanswered questions, questionable staging, and, in the end, too many faults that even its superb cast could not overcome.

     Written and directed by Alexis Albanese, “Chasing the Twilight” was presented recently at the Theatre District at the Cast in Hollywood. The producers plan to film the play at a later date. Before this occurs, it will need substantial re-writing in the opinion of this reviewer, including a more carefully crafted plot that includes more character definition and ties down loose ends that kept it from being the success it should have been.

    The playwright attempts to explain the plot in the program under a headline appropriately titled, “The Story.” According to the summary, the play depicts five individuals and their life struggles with their weaknesses and fears and the complexity of their interactions with each other.” Unfortunately, we never really get to know any of them very well.

    Essentially, "Chasing the Twilight" is a lesbian love story about Sara, a gorgeous woman who is unable to cope with her present conflict - deciding between her long-time lover, a new lover, and her girlhood heterosexual lover, Robert, who still loves her although he is about to be married to another woman. Adriano Aragon plays Robert. The characters have moved from El Paso to Los Angeles "to escape the small-town mentality of El Paso," although we are never informed what this mentality was or why it inspired the major move. Additionally, none of these people seem to have jobs or careers. They hang out in a gay bar and bemoan their current troubles, but we never get to know much about them, though Michelle Matthau, Ms. "P" Reney, and Sara Jayne Kimm do liven up the place with their amusing interchange.

    Sara’s new love interest, Leila, acted beautifully by Sonia Keshishian, offers a sense of passion and wonder Sara has never known. They become lovers, although it becomes clear that Leila has suffered from cancer in the past, and will succumb to it in the future.

    In the middle of all this is Cody, played Eric Casaccio, Sara’s long-time friend who also has moved from El Paso to Los Angeles. We’re never quite sure what Cody’s purpose is other than to serve as a sounding board for Sara’s confused love life. Casaccio’s character is played so flamboyantly that at times it becomes more of a caricature than a plot support. Sad, because the actor demonstrates talent.

    Finally, there is Kate, Sara’s long-time lover who has never provided the passion or excitement Sara seeks in a relationship. She is portrayed by Debbie Britt-Hay, a lovely actress with incredible stage presence and formidable acting skills. She delivers one of the most emotionally moving parts of the play before she commits suicide.

     There are technical irritants with “Chasing the Twilight.” There are 27 dizzying scene changes during the three-act play, which makes you wonder how the actors ever held their character with any sense of continuity. There is one scene that involves nothing more than the actors seated on stools in front of the audience. One assumes, the director’s intent was to be dramatic, but to the audience it did nothing to further the plot.

     Dana Walsh plays the part of Sara. She is strong, convincing and talented. Keshishian, on the other hand, is a diamond. She sparkles throughout the evening and gives a great deal of life and empathy to her role as Leila, even when she is sick and dying.  She is a joy to watch. Britt-Hay is exceptionally talented, beautiful and strong. She is so strong she makes you wonder why she would ever stay with the philandering Sara. One of the real pleasures of this play is the performance of Nicole Dionne as the young Sara. She makes a huge impact with her few moments on stage and made you wish she had stayed young forever. She is truly talented.

     The cast includes Iman Ghiam, Michelle Matthau, Ms. “P.” Reney, Sara Jayne Kimm, Casey Krebs, Paul Drake, Aaron Merken, Bethany Davis, Vaz Andreas, Ryan McGivern and Christopher Laslo.

    This is a play that could have been better and should have been better. It needs tightening, better character definition, more focused scenes and simpler staging. With further exploration of the story line, it could be a very powerful play. With a better sense of direction, it very well would live up to the potential it promised.

1/18/04