By Eva Trieger
POWAY, California — Ever wonder how many theatre egos can fit in one Manhattan hotel room? Well, PowPac has the answer in Terrence McNally’s very clever It’s Only a Play. The premise for this witty, fast-paced show reveals the anxiety and fragile relationships of writer, actor, producer, director, critic and wannabes as they await the New York Times review of opening night on Broadway.
What ensues is a series of non-stop exchanges, some sycophantic, some provocative, some sincere and some sniping. The conversations are glib, smarmy and vapid as the characters dictate. Peter Austin (Greg Oberle) has written a play that is being produced by Julia Budder (Eliza Huf). The wealthy benefactress appears to have more money than brains, creating some funny moments. Peter’s cast includes the erstwhile starlet, Virginia Noyes (Peggy Lee Daly) and her co-star, Frank Finger (Dennis Floyd). Ira Drew (Guyren Howe), a critic with his own agenda, observes the interactions of the others and maintains a background commentary. James Wicker (David Dartt), a former Broadway actor, now stars in a long-running tv show in L.A. and had to turn down Peter’s offer to be in the play. Gus Head (Richard Cajka) is the butler who appears to have a bead on everyone and aspirations of his own in the thespian arena.
Director Larry Steckling wrote in the program how much he enjoyed working with the cast and crew and their camaraderie on stage was certainly an endorsement of the fun they were having. Steckling has directed over 50 productions and acted in over 40 plays. He also makes rod puppets and marionettes! Cajka has appeared in many productions including One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Antigone, Great Expectations and others. Daly has performed at PowPac in four previous shows as well as at the Coronado Playhouse. Dartt has graced PowPac’s stage for three previous plays and has appeared at Coronado Playhouse, Scripps Ranch Theatre and others. Floyd is not only an actor, but a director and stage designer. He has won the Aubrey Award twice! Howe has been seen in Big, Dracula and Treasure Island among others. Huf was in Private Lives, Pygmalion and Dodging Eden. Rounding out the cast, Oberle most recently performed at the Patio Playhouse in Footlight Frenzy.
It’s Only a Play is one of 40 plays written by McNally. He received four Tony Awards for Love! Valour! Compassion!, Master Class, Ragtime and Kiss of the Spider Woman. In addition to comedies and dramas, McNally wrote musicals, including the book for The Full Monty. He also won an Emmy award for Andre’s Mother.
PowPac Community Theatre has had an amazing season thus far with mystery, Witness for the Prosecution, a sweet, poignant drama Passing Conversations and a charming holiday comedy, Inspecting Carol. The author of Passing Conversations, immediate past president of the Board of Directors and former artistic director, passed away quite suddenly last month. I feel fortunate to have seen his fine, thoughtful play performed on this very stage. The remaining two shows, Ordinary People and The Butler Did It are sure to delight San Diego patrons. This theatre truly is devoted to the community, evidenced by awarding $1,000 annually to a high school graduate who goes on to study theatre arts at the college level. This nonprofit is completely the work of volunteers, yet every production I’ve attended has been extremely high caliber, equal to that of any other production company in San Diego!
It’s Only a Play runs through February 11, 2024. Tickets may be purchased online at boxoffice@powpac.org, or by phone at 858.679.8085.
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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com