[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of the Group Rep’s world premiere of Michael B. Kaplan’s new comedy Four Top, directed by Kathleen R. Delaney and produced by Denise Downer.
The Group Rep has done it again! Four Top, the new play by Michael B. Kaplan is a delightful romantic romp through the 20-somethings’ struggle to fall in love, stay in love, and love the right person at the right time.
It’s a very funny, very clever, brilliantly acted play upstairs in the more intimate theatre at the Group Rep, which is absolutely the best setting for such a fast-talking, mini opus to love.
The highly entertaining story of two couples and a waitress begins with Brian and Liz stumbling drunkenly into Liz’s apartment after meeting for the first time in a bar. Liz is very keen on this one-night stand thing, and Brian, although seeming to be a little more romantic, is clearly up for it too! But fate intervenes and he throws up on her…yuck. The date is obviously over, and we fast forward a year to Brian arriving early for a double date with his new girlfriend, Megan, and her work husband, Tony, and his girlfriend, Liz. Yes, the same Liz. However, Brian and Liz have no idea who they will be meeting until they do. Fun!
In a panic, they both pretend to not know each other, and are so momentarily distracted by this weird coincidence to notice Tony and Megan’s rather obvious attraction to each other. But that soon changes. Meanwhile, the waitress isn’t at all impressed by any of them and takes some delight in telling Liz and Brian that she caught Megan and Tony making out by the bathrooms…
We are also treated to a running narration by the waitress, who is absolutely hilarious, as she laments about her ‘small part’ in the unfolding story.
Four Top is very, very clever and the characters are really well written. Each of these confused and quirky people are beautifully fleshed out by these fine actors and I found myself really engaged by this funny, fast-paced and brutally real story.
There’s a lovely happy ending too, despite Brian whining on and on about wanting to be married and needing to be loved. What an excellent group of actors, all thoughtfully guided by the deft direction of Kathleen R. Delaney.
I really loved this show and would highly recommend it! It’s so refreshing to see something new about this generation with characters that truly reflect people we all know and probably also love!
Four Top runs through November 17, but the theatre was packed and roaring with laughter, so I’m expecting it to be pretty popular. So don’t dawdle!! Support our NoHo theatres!!!
Where:
The Group Rep
Lonny Chapman Theatre
10900 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 9601
When:
October 17 – November 17
Thursdays at 7pm, Saturdays at 4pm and Sundays 7pm
Tickets:
https://thegrouprep.com/show/four-top
The Cast
The cast features the talents of Rosie Byrne (Megan), Cassidy LeClair (Server), Jack Menzies (Brian), Luke Rampersad (Tony) and Jackie Shearn (Liz).
The Team
The production staff includes Kathleen R. Delaney (Director), Denise Downer (Producer), Daisy Staedler (Set Designer), Nick Foran (Lighting & Sound Designer), Clara Rodriquez (Scenic Painter), Caleb Aaron(Assistant to the Director), Karla Menjivar (Stage Manager), John Ledley (Technical Operator), Doug Haverty (Graphic Design), Kristin Stancato (Webmaster & Online Marketing), Doug Engalla (Promotional Video & Photography), Jackie Shearn (Social Media) and Nora Feldman (PR).