[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of SkyPilot Theatre Company’s The Marriage Zone, written and directed by Jeff Gould, running July 12 – October 19.
I was able to see The Marriage Zone in a previous production a few years ago. I loved it then, and this new production by SkyPilot Theatre Company is every bit as brilliant, and perhaps a little bit more!
The story revolves around a middle-aged couple who have decided to sell their house. The wife is convinced that in order to give their underachieving teenage son every advantage, they must move to a better school district, which is, of course, in a more expensive area. Putting additional pressure on them both financially and emotionally. It’s a big deal and neither of them is handling it particularly well.
On the first morning of their open house, they hear a knock on the door while they are arguing about, well, everything. It’s a young couple recently engaged, and in spite of the awkwardness, they let them in to look around. The couple love the house and as they all sit and talk, they discover they have a lot in common. There is another knock at the door and an older couple ask if they might take a look around also, although not to buy, but because they used to live there.
As the story unfolds, there are more and more coincidences between them all. They all have the same names, met in the exact same way and it becomes obvious that something very strange is going on.
I don’t want to spoil the unraveling for you. Suffice it to say that you’ve never seen a play quite like this one. The Marriage Zone is very much akin to The Twilight Zone…spookiness and all. But like the classic show, there is a distinct point to all the drama. In our present time of hellish and unnerving uncertainty, searching for reason and meaning in our lives seems more important than ever. We love and we are full of stress and that’s about it, isn’t it? Striving for what we are told are the most important things, to excel, to be successful, to be admired, and to compare well to everyone else. To have everything we could ever need at our fingertips, including a perfect spouse to support our every whim. Whatever we are sold as a good life by ‘society’ is all very well, but are we really happy? And if we had the opportunity to do it all again…would we change anything? Or everything?
The Marriage Zone explores all of this with a cast who are able to effortlessly convince us that they are all versions of the same people without mimicry or fakery. They are all so excellent in their roles that we quickly believe the whole scenario and their troubles and their choices are our own.
I’m not certain, knowing the outcomes, that I would make the same choices I did when I was young. Who among us could say they really would? But then, is there anything that is certain in this world? Any guarantees for happiness or peace or love? Of course not. Although we all strive to find those exact things and wrap them up in money and cuteness.
What I loved the most about The Marriage Zone is its honesty. There are some moments in the play that took me by surprise and some that I nodded my head vigorously to. The characters are written very well. These are people I know, or maybe myself. And even though the premise is odd and weird and maybe more than a bit unbelievable, it seems utterly sane and very real because of the truly phenomenal actors and this poignant, moving writing.
I highly recommend The Marriage Zone. Funny, moving and thought provoking, but mostly it’s about how we love each other, why we bother and if it’s worth it…which I strongly believe that it is.
Tickets:
https://www.onstage411.com/newsite/show/play_info.asp?show_id=7369
Where:
905 Cole Ave, Los Angeles ,CA 90038
When:
Extended through October 19!
Saturday at 8pm | Sunday at 3pm
The Marriage Zone Cast
The cast will feature (in alphabetical order) Sean Babcock, Anthony Backman, Dylan Bowers, Amberlee Clark, Kelly DeSarla, Jacee Jule, Cassidy LeClair, Ian Nemser, Tudi Roche, Ben Scattone, Morry Schorr, Shelly Snellman, Corbin Timbrook, and Laura Walker.
The Team
Set design is by Anthony Backman, lighting design is by Selena Price, and sound design is by Tina Walsch. Shelby Janes produces for SkyPilot Theatre Company, and Morgan Benson is assistant producer. Press Representative:KEN WERTHER PUBLICITY.
****
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