While the sky is definitely the limit in the world of theater,
the Geffen Playhouse’s “Under the Blue Sky” flies
high, but fails to soar.
Geffen’s opening show of the season is directed by Gilbert
Cates, former dean of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and
Television. He has produced numerous Academy Award shows as well as
directed films such as “I Never Sang for My Father,”
and Geffen’s critically acclaimed production of
“Collected Stories.” Cates is no rookie to putting on a
good show, and “Under the Blue Sky” is undoubtedly just
that.
An educator himself, Cates chose a play about teachers. The play
is composed of three interrelated stories, each revolving around
one male-female couple in a non-romantic relationship. The story
peers into the teachers’ after-hours exchanges, as well as
their fears, desires and vulnerabilities.
The first scene takes place on Geffen’s beautiful set of
an East London apartment with the young couple, Nick (McCaleb
Burnett) and Helen (Margaret Welsh). While these actors are by far
the least known of the six thespians, their interaction is the most
sincere, capturing the emotions of a woman desperately in love and
a man desperately running from love. After being the best of
friends and having a one-night stand three years prior, Nick tells
Helen he wants to move away. The exchange that follows is a
well-crafted roller coaster of emotional intensity and a bitter,
desperate power struggle most can identify with.
Willie Garson (better known as Stanford, Carrie’s gay
friend on “Sex and the City”) and Sharon Lawrence
(Sylvia on “NYPD Blue”) make up the second couple. But
their prominent TV personas make it difficult to believe they
really are the quippy Brits they portray. Lawrence plays Michelle,
a femme fatale/nymphomaniac who is using the shy and awkward Graham
(Garson) as a pawn in her sinister sexual game to get back at her
estranged boyfriend. The acting does justice to its dialogue, but
fails to live up to its star quality.
The third couple stars John Carroll Lynch (“The Good
Girl,” “The Drew Carey Show”) as Robert and the
only British actor in the show, Judy Geeson, as Anne. Taking place
on a patio in a cottage garden, this last scene offers a ray of
light in the mostly dark play. The acting is sweet, often inspiring
chuckles or “awws” from the audience.
The play was written by David Eldridge, a 28-year-old Brit who
has been hailed as one of Britain’s hottest playwrights.
“Blue Sky” is his sixth, and according to Cates, his
best to date. Cates said when they were choosing plays, he
immediately fell in love with Eldridge’s writing and subject
matter.
“It’s amazing that a man of his age can write about
the subject of intimacy, not only on behalf of people in their 20s,
but 30s, 40s and 50s and still be accurate,” Cates said.
“I’m 68 and am overwhelmed by his prescience and
understanding.”
And Cates is right; Eldridge does create dialogue charged with
pathos and dimension beyond his years. But there was still
something missing. Perhaps it was the 83-percent non-British cast
(five out of six) in a 100-percent British play that seemed
contrived, and never really seemed comfortable in its
foreignness.
But don’t get me wrong, the play is interesting, funny at
times, and deeply touching. It captures the universal human themes
of intimacy, loss, love and friendship. It tempts the vague
division between friendship and sex and provokes its audience to
define those notions. But it only flirts with grandiose issues
instead of driving them home. It’s definitely not theater
that shakes your very existence, but it still creates a heartfelt
experience.
In Graham and Michelle’s would-be tryst scene, the play
does attempt to grip the audience using explicit sexual situations,
venomous dialogue and the cruelty of the couple’s
psychological games. But instead of rocking the boat, it goes
overboard and ends up distancing its audience rather than engaging
it.
While people will be interested to learn what goes on with these
teachers once the chalk and pointers are put to rest, the themes
are universal.
“These people could be plumbers, doctors, bus drivers.
They could be anything,” Cates said.
It’s romance, it’s anti-romance, it’s life
““ it’s not life-changing, but it’s a good
show.
“Under the Blue Sky” is playing through Oct. 20 at
10886 Le Conte Ave. in Westwood. For tickets, call (310) 208-5454
or visit www.geffenplayhouse.com. or come an hour before showtime
for $10 student rush tickets.