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| Top to Bottom Gabriel Oliva and Brian Stanton: Photo by Eric Wann |
By Joe Straw
Sometimes one wonders about the choices actors make to further a play along. It must a collaborative choice between the actor and writer, in this case one in the same, and the director. They must all be in agreement but, when they settle, does that mean it’s the right choice?
Go Theatrics presents Final Interview written by Gabriel Oliva and directed by Katierose Donohue Enriquez at The Pico Playhouse in a limited release through July 23rd, 2023.
One arrived at The Pico Playhouse about thirty minutes before the doors opened at approximately 7:20pm. There wasn’t a soul to be seen and I wondered if I had gotten the dates right. The one sheet outside confirmed the show was playing there and a handwritten note on the door noted that they would open at 7:45pm.
Another lone patron meandered in front of the theatre, and, for a time, I thought we were the only two patrons. A few more people arrived, entering the theatre I was told at 8:00pm that they were holding the curtain until somebody’s husband arrived.
When they couldn’t wait any longer, they started the show sans husband.
The opening, and here’s where it gets interesting.
On a blackened stage, there is a pounding noise, and as the lights come up, we see Clayton (Gabriel Oliva), with a menacing look pounding the glass with his finger repeatedly. (This is something that will later be explained during the course of the interview.)
Clayton waits in an office until Charles (Brian Stanton) arrives. And he does so with his secretary Tessa (Alexis Capozzi) in tow. Pleasantries are exchanged, warm smiles, hearty handshakes as Clayton prepare for his interview.
They are ready to sit down but Charles asks if Clayton would like something to drink, an expresso. Clayton declines but Charles insists and Tessa chimes in also offering in the process multiple times until Clayton explodes and refuses the drink.
With that settled they start with the interview Charles telling Tessa to hold all calls before she leaves.
Clayton comes off very jocular in a way that one would want to conclude the interview as soon as possible. But, Charles, continues asking rote questions until the final question – “Do you have questions for me?” When Clayton doesn’t have any questions, Charles finishes the interview.
“We’ll let you know.”
Charles starts for the door, opens it, and Clayton, suddenly becoming serious, tells him that he can increase his cost margin from 11% to 20%. Charles, hearing that he can make a whole lot of money gives Clayton another chance and the interview continues.
And now the interview suddenly becomes serious when Clayton pulls a gun to get the answers he needs to his questions.
The problems with this production are not insurmountable. It's sad that the night was not better attended given the nice reviews. There was not a producer noted in this production and perhaps that would have helped. Budgets are tight and one person can't do it all. But, from a business standpoint, the cost of using the theatre is the same, each night. Your loss doesn’t increase if you give the tickets away to fill the house and then have someone ask for donations on their way out. But find a way to get people into the house to see this production.
Secondly, and this is more of an artistic comment of the characters, start slowly, and end dramatically! Katierose Donohue Enriquez, the director, has Clayton maniacal in the opening moments of the show, practically giving away the whole reason for him being there. There is a purpose for him to be testing the window and that is his discovery of the elements of the window which comes to play later in the show. Also, this character goes way overboard in the opening moments of the show. Charles, being the smart man that he is, probably would have ended the interview at that moment Clayton refuses the expresso.
Don’t give the store away before one has had the chance to look at the produce.
That aside, Gabriel Oliva’s play is remarkable. It is smartly written and filled with wonderful moments throughout. The character’s dialogue suggests experience in the field, a business acumen that jumps from the page onto the stage. It is sincere and on point. The ending is ambivalent enough to walk out the theatre door and ask yourself, “What in the heck just happened?” The discussion afterward suggests coming to the same conclusion but expressing it in a myriad of ways. Ending with changing the spots on a leopard – you can paint over the spots, but he’s still a leopard.
Gabriel Oliva plays Clayton and playing maniacal gives him nowhere to go after the opening moments of the play. He is there for a purpose, and we need to find out what that is, slowly. He must bring that backstory in the opening moments but present it in a way without giving it away. Clayton has taken years of his life to get to this point and somehow that must be projected. This is part of the life Oliva must find. That aside, there’s some remarkable work going on.
Brian Stanton also does some fine work as Charles. Charles is a man loaded with guilt, thinking he’s been cleared for his past deeds, so he’s able to keep working as though nothing has happened. The more we know about Charles, the way he cuts corners, and the insider trading deals show us a man who has no compassion for humanity. He is only able to change his spots only after a matter of forceful persuasion and his ending is very dramatic. Stanton does some very fine work in this production. He is a thinking actor, and his thoughts are expressed dramatically from his eyes throughout the night.
Alexis Capozzi is captivating as Tessa. There may be one more element needed in her relationship with her boss and the way she handles the interruption scene to give that scene the vibrance that is needed.
Frank Martinelli is the voice of Ashwin and Colleen Foy is the voice of Lisa in this production.
Annie Terrazzo is the Set Designer and displayed an effective use of the space of The Pico Playhouse.
Ken Werther is the press agent.
Poster Design by Julia Lambright.
The show closes today. The beautiful Pico Playhouse is very accommodating and street parking on Sundays is free.