All in the Timing

Posted by roguereporter - January 26th, 2008 -

Published in 2/29 Fri., 3/1 Sat., 3/2 Sun., 3/7 Fri., 3/8 Sat., BYOV, Severance

Artists’ Repertory Theater
Fresno, California, USA
myspace.com/artfresno
Genre: Play
Rating: PG-13 45 minutes
adult language, No latecomers admitted
VENUE: BYOV @ severance 1401 n. wishon *CLICK FOR MAP

On a day like today, you may wish to see a play that is fragmented, paradoxical, twisted, and highly amusing. The four one-acts by David Ives are… “Words, Words, Words,” three monkeys attempting to write Hamlet. “Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread,” a musical parody of minimalist composer Philip Glass having an existential crisis in a bakery. “The Philadelphia,” a man in a strange state where he must ask for the opposite to get what he wants in a restaurant. “Variations on the Death of Trotsky,” who dies several times from a mountain-climbers’s ax wound received 36 hours prior.

TICKET PRICE: $7
8:45 PM, Fri 2/29
2:30 PM, Sat., 3/1
3:45 PM, Sun., 3/2
10:00 PM PM, Fri 3/7
7:30 PM, Sat., 3/8

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71. RabbiDoom said

in March 1st, 2008 at 11:16 am

Excellent! A talented group of actors, and a highly enjoyable show. Go see it!!

84. Carlos from the undercurrent said

in March 1st, 2008 at 5:51 pm

These short one act plays (four in all) were quick paced and witty. Add to this a mix of talented actors doing their thing and obviously enjoying themselves while do it and you’ve got the problem that I’ve got. You see my list of shows that I would recommend encompasses every show I’ve seen. Now mind you, at this point I’ve only seen three shows, but that doesn’t change the fact that I would recommend them all. As for “All in the Timing,” it pushes it’s way toward the top. The show is replete with monkeys (chimps (well, chimps played by people)) who have no problem speaking in Shakespearean verse, or even plotting Hamlet’s storyline, but just can’t seem to hammer any of it out on a typewriter.

For the complete review visit: http://www.fresnoundercurrent.net/rogue_reviews

121. jessi from the undercurrent said

in March 2nd, 2008 at 9:22 am

Artists Repertory Theatre chose four from author David Ives’ original six one-acts, and each striking in its own unique ways. In “Words, Words, Words,” where chimps attempt writing Hamlet, I was captivated by the elegantly chimp-like movements and behaviors of the actors. In “The Philadelphia,” actors Jaguar Bennett, Jennifer Hurd-Peterson, and Michael Peterson are all hilarious in their bizarre states (or, more appropriately, cities) of being. I was impressed with the great timing of delivery in ”Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread” – a challenging, nonsensical act that could easily loose its audience’s interest, I think, without the impeccable performing – Artists Repertory Theatre pulls it off quite well! “Variations on the Death of Trotsky” was a fun way to close the performance. Actors M. Justin Red, Suzanne Graznya, and Michael Peterson bring great comedy to their stark situation with wonderful facial expressions and accents. This show is definitely worth the short walk down to the Severance Building!

To read the full review (and other reviews!), visit http://www.fresnoundercurrent.net/rogue_reviews

128. blake jones said

in March 2nd, 2008 at 10:46 am

Brilliant.
Smart. Funny. Well-performed. What else could you want?
Quick thoughts:
Loved the Natascha accent in Trotsky.
Mike Peterson has flitted in and around my life
for years now, and I barely recognized him in
his part in “Philadelphia”—(I guess that’s what actors can do)
You don’t have to dig the music of Phillip Glass to get a big kick out of the ‘bread’ bit.
‘words words’…I don’t have the words to say…
(but it’s only now that I’m sitting down that it dawns on me the appropriateness of the incidental music before and after the play!!!)

142. victor desroches said

in March 2nd, 2008 at 12:52 pm

Great show. This is at the top of my list of show recommendations. Smart, funny, unexpected. Excellent play and very well performed.

291. Jay Parks said

in March 7th, 2008 at 12:00 pm

ART (Artists Repertory Theatre) continues to present work that is contemporary, relevant, entertaining, and thought-provoking…exactly what a theatre company should be doing.

The Ives plays are an especially fine choice for the Rogue. Four short plays clocking in a total of about 45 minutes gives the audience just enough time to get in tune with these well-directed, well-acted shorts, then its on to the next one - leaving you with your thoughts for the one you just saw.

The night I saw “All in the Timing”, I thought the “Philadelphia” and Trotksy pieces were particularly strong - but with a little distance, I feel like all four pieces were equally well crafted. Special mentions to Jag Bennett, Mike Peterson, and Jen Peterson in the “Philadelphia” story, and to both actors in the Trotsky piece - they each communicated the subtleties of Ives’ writing with great skill.

This is going to be the Rogue show you heard was the highlight of the festival. Check it out.

324. joyunconfined said

in March 9th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

Oh, how wonderful, wonderful was this show!

I had to squeeze in time to see the very last performance. And I went in with the intention to cut out just a little early so I could get to MY performance starting almost immediately after.

But then I was there, sitting in my seat, laughing and applauding. What great pieces were presented. And these actors!

There have been times past that I have seen plays where I knew what the writer meant, but didn’t really feel the actors were fully conveying it. You walk away thinking, “Well, that was good, but maybe they could have done ‘this’ or ‘that’.”

This is NOT the case here. The actors brought out the subtleties in each scene, at times flawless in critical moments (the Glass piece, and Trotsky). Clearly there was a marriage of superb performance and direction for this entire show.

I did NOT get up and sneak out early. I stayed until the very last second, and only missed the curtain calls.

I’ve seen this group of people in other things out and about town. They’re all talented. In my eyes, though, this was truly something magical. Gestalt, I believe, is a word for it.

And to think I nearly missed it.

344. Mr. Practical said

in March 10th, 2008 at 1:47 pm

Boffo show! I laughed out loud throughout all four plays. Especially enjoyed “The Philadelphia” and “Variations… Trotsky”; surreal, intelligent yet madcap, either would have made a great Monty Python skit, and I mean that most complimentory!

Rogue 2008

All in the Timing

8 users Commented/Reviewed On " All in the Timing "

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