Theater Review
Theatre Palisades begins its 50th anniversary season with the world premiere of ‘Has Anybody Here Seen Roy?’ playing Friday, Saturday and Sunday through February 17 at Pierson Playhouse. As the house lights dimmed and Barry White’s classic ‘Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe’ filled the theater Sunday afternoon, it certainly felt as though a good romp was ahead, provided by Palisades playwright Diane Grant. Sisters Jean (Lara Doucette) and Linda (Wendy Taubin) live together in Santa Monica, at 2132 Pearl Street to be exact. Jean is married to Roy, even though he disappeared 14 years ago, leaving his wife a note the day after their second anniversary: ‘Off to Alaska.’ It’s not clear if we are to empathize with or pity this person who has remained steadfastly hopeful and seemingly hasn’t had a relationship since Roy left. Younger sister Linda is tired of hearing the same old story, and mocks her sister as she speaks about Roy. An unexpected visitor, the drunk, Valley Girl-sounding actress Anna Denver (Clara Sao), walks in, interrupting the bickering sisters. She begins asking questions about her fianc’, Ron, who coincidentally sounds a lot like Roy, down to the note he left her: ‘Off to New Zealand.’ Eventually, an odd allegiance is forged with the young actress (starring every Saturday night in ‘Vampire Lesbians of Sodom’), the sisters, family friends Jackie and Muriel Sinclair (Hal Fisher and Ria Parody Erlich) and yet another wife, Las Vegas resident Valerie (Catherine Rahm), a GIA-certified gemologist. Instead of a note, she receives a text: ‘Off to Canada.’ While trying to make amends for her past behavior, Linda locates Teddy (Harold Dershimer), who is still friends with Chris (James Welsh), acquaintances from the old days who have their own memories of Roy. Rounding out the cast is Mylo Lam (Bob Lam) and Preeti Tiwari (Gail Darling) as television personalities. We are promised that all will be revealed at the Fourth of July parade, but the d’nouement left this reviewer wanting more. Certainly any play that features the town’s venerable parade is playing in the right community, especially when references are made about the skydivers (‘He looks just like Gregory Peck’), the mayor of Los Angeles and meeting up at Via and Sunset. Take these accoutrements away and the play’s universal theme of love and loss could take place anywhere. The performers were believable, and looked the part of average Palisadians, including the uncredited extras who sat on the stage during the parade. Palisadians take their parade seriously, and there can never be enough red, white and blue on that day. While some of the costumes were really spot-on, especially several of the patriotic outfits, the two leading ladies were often dressed in clothing that was not particularly flattering. Why do this to your actors? Valerie’s Independence Day look and all of Anna Denver’s costumes were especially outstanding. The sets were simple, but detailed, especially the sisters’ house, which looked like a well lived-in place. During the parade, one cast member had a Palisadian-Post parade program on her lap, another superb detail. Supporting characters had some of the best lines, such as Jackie spouting off his George Washington knowledge throughout the production, sometimes at the most inopportune (read: funny) times. He even shows up at the parade wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the country’s first president. His wife, Muriel, is truly a gem, at times singing the name of her husband while calling for him. Muriel’s big bag, with endless items inside including Zantac and water, is a humorous sight gag. ’Has Anybody Here Seen Roy?’ is directed by Susan Stangl and produced by Pat Perkins and Andrew Frey. Playwright Grant has also written ‘Sunday Dinner’ and ‘Sex and Violence.’ Tickets ($18 and $20) are available by calling (310) 454-1970 or visiting theatrepalisades.org.
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