Performed through Dec. 23 at Carlsbad’s New Village Arts Theatre, Amy Chini and Tom Zohar’s world-premiere holiday comedy is titled “Off the Ground,” though exactly what that means is a mystery. The piece most certainly rises above the level of sitcom, and is rife with familial interactions that cause mirth but are driven by true pain and the characters’ inability or unwillingness to discuss issues. The big explosion in Act II is an incredibly brave step for two young playwrights ” everyone finally cut loose from inhibition, simultaneously screaming their pent-up frustrations in an amazing verbal Babel, sans liquor at that.
To their credit, Chini and Zohar spare us the usual holiday “spirits.” Sandra Ellis-Troy plays Virginia, the family matriarch, with admirable restraint, and thanks to the writing, the others in the fractured family each have revelatory, character-full moments in which to come forth with their pain, anger and dismay over family, marriage and life in general. Depending on the material provided, each actor turns in a wee gem of a performance, in some cases giving us more than is there.
Witness to the chaos is Dorina (Amanda Morrow), a 28-year-old divorcee brought to the party by Virginia in hopes that she might attract Virginia’s wounded son Joel (Francis Gercke), who is a divorced father. His ex has already moved on with her life. A blocked writer, Joel has moved in with his 87-year-old widowed grandfather, Dick, a situation that works for them but seems unhealthy and non-productive to others in the family. Instead of inhabiting a doddering archetype of encroaching senility and codger-dom, Charlie Riendeau captures the old man’s pain and neediness, particularly revealed in a lovely scene with Morrow’s bewildered Dorina. Morrow is an exemplar of actorly reaction during most of the play and thus one of the more subtle comedic presences ” the woman who wishes she weren’t there and has no means of escape.
Wendy Waddell portrays Joel’s older sister, a successful realtor in a shaky, childless marriage to Luke, a sous chef who’s recently been fired from yet another upscale restaurant. Terry Scheidt proves sensitive in this slightly underwritten role, and long after curtain one ponders the possible causes of his resentment and anger beyond the usual conundrum.
The other motivational morass is Jim (Jack Missett), Virginia’s husband, who it is inferred was a genius in the business world. He was probably content to let Virginia stoke the home fires during their long marriage, and now is passively content to observe her machinations to reunite the family. Her schemes do not work, of course, but some small miracles occur, and there is hope for everyone by the time the curtain falls on liquor, pecan pie and raucous midnight caroling in the offstage kitchen.
The real gifts of “Off the Ground” are Joshua Everett Johnson’s canny direction, Kristianne Kurner’s tacky, cluttered living room and an array of costumes that are always funny and appropriate. Let us give thanks for NVA’s theatrical energy, youthful talent and their courage to take a risk.
“Off the Ground” continues through Sunday, Dec. 23 at New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 B State St. at Carlsbad Village, Carlsbad. For tickets and information, visit www.newvillagearts.org or call (760) 433-3245.
