Throughout the past quarter-century, the powers that be at Humana Festival of New American Plays, produced by the Actors Theatre of Louisville, have kept secret the true identity of playwright Jane Martin. Many of Martin’s works have been produced at the festival, among them “Talking With” and “Keely and Du,” which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in drama and received the American Theatre Critics Association best play award in 1996.
It is widely believed that Martin is a pseudonym for Jon Jory, who stepped down after a 31-year career as producing director of Actors Theatre of Louisville in 2000, the year the Humana Festival introduced Martin’s theatrical satire, “Anton in Show Business,” which is seen through March 2 at Hillcrest’s 6th@Penn Theatre.
“The American theater’s in a sh*tload of trouble,” says stage manager T-Anne in the play’s first line. “That’s why the stage is bare, and it’s a cast of six”¦.” T-Anne is played by Coronado School of the Arts senior Cashae Monya, who is seen in numerous adeptly performed roles.
This kid’s got chops far beyond her years. In addition to Monya, producer/director Dale Morris assembles a fabulous ensemble for “Anton in Show Business.” If you’re a theater buff and especially if you’ve ever worked in theater or showbiz, hie thee here.
The play gleefully and mercilessly satirizes youthful naiveté, directors, actors, corporate underwriters, critics and Texans. It is also a canny paean to theatrical excess, bittersweet, funny and sad, with ties to and echoes of Chekhov’s (Anton, get it?) “Three Sisters,” for which New York auditions are being held when the play begins.
Kate, a Russian-born San Antonio producer (Patricia Elmore Costa) is the puppet of Holly, a famous TV actor (DeAnna Driscoll) who’s already cast. Holly, who’s stacked to the nines with several hundred thousand bucks in enhancements, wants to do a serious play to attract Hollywood casting directors. She fancies herself Irina, the youngest Chekhov sister, but later decides to portray Masha. Casey, a seasoned off-Broadway actor (Julia Hoover, Robin Christ’s understudy, doing magnificent work) who’s facing a second mastectomy, is cast as Olga. Lizabette (Aimee Janelle Nelson), an untalented, born-again graduate of Southern Methodist University, is cast as the youngest sister.
Hilariously in drag, the phenomenally low-voiced Kelly Lapczynski ” a terrific find ” portrays the Chekhov play’s two directors, first a pretentious Brit that Holly fires, and second, a serious director whose vision is dashed by the three motley actors. Morgan Trant plays a critic (for the local “shopper” magazine), who keeps interrupting the performance.
Elmore also plays Ben, an Elvis-like San Antonio singer-guitarist-actor who falls for Holly. It’s an example of Hollywood ruthlessness and sincerely played, oddly affecting, overblown tragicomedy. One is reminded of the San Antonio Festival, which self-destructed due to its practice of mixing Tex-Mex natives, local Anglos and professional actors.
There is much laughter, and we feel empathy for these theatrical stereotypes, due in part to the actors’ skill, to Martin’s writing and to Morris’ wry, empathetic staging and deep comprehension of the playwright’s intent, whoever she/he may be. Jamie Lloyd deserves kudos for hilarious costumes.
“Anton in Show Business” continues at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through March 2 at 6th@Penn Theatre, 3704 6th Ave., San Diego.
For tickets and information, visit www.6thatpenn.com or call (619) 688-9210.