With the exception of Solas Nua’s productions of Enda Walsh’s work, one-act plays seldom turn up at Washington-area theaters. Now, local audiences are being treated to two collections of one-acts, American Century Theater’s “Drama Under the Influence” and Washington Stage Guild’s “Shaw’s Shorts.” (Next month will offer a third collection consisting of Samuel Beckett one-acts, courtesy of Keegan Theatre.)
Compiled and directed by Steven Scott Mazzola, “Drama Under the Influence” is the most interesting and eclectic assortment, seven short pieces all written by women between 1914 and 1931. There are two Expressionist plays (Sophie Treadwell’s “Eye of the Beholder” and Gertrude Stein’s “Photograph”), two comedies (Dorothy Parker’s “Here We Are” and Susan Glaspell’s “Suppressed Desire”) and three dramas (Glaspell’s “Trifles,” Eulalie Spence’s “Hot Stuff” and Rita Wellman’s “For All Time”).
“Eye of the Beholder,” a portrait of a woman (Lauren Judith Krizner) who is either a Jezebel or victim or both, depending on the point of view, is a fascinating vignette. “Photograph,” on the other hand, shows why you don’t see a lot of revivals of Stein’s plays. (It helps that, since “Photograph” doesn’t have any plot or story, Mazzola has cleverly chopped it up to use as a transitional bridge between the other plays.)
The dramas also are a mixed bag.
“Trifles,” in which two women (Katherine McCann and Tanera Hutz) accidentally stumble upon the crucial clue explaining why an abused wife murdered her bully of a husband, is, by far, the most effective. (“For All Time” is an intriguing forerunner of Daphne du Maurier’s “Rebecca” in its depiction of a psychotic housekeeper devoted to the memory of her late charge.)
Not surprising, it is the comedies that have dated the least and remain the most entertaining.
“Here We Are” is a timelessly funny sketch of two newlyweds (Colby Codding and Jennifer B. Robison) whose pre-honeymoon jitters lead them to engage in a series of increasingly petty squabbles. “Suppressed Desire” is a hilarious send-up of Freudian psychoanalysis, with housewife Henrietta Brewster (Mary McGowan) interpreting the dreams of her husband Stephen (William Aitken) and sister Mabel (Robison).
All of the actors do terrific work, the standout being Robison, who proves to be a first-rate comedienne in the two comic plays.
With “Drama Under the Influence,” American Century continues with its mission of presenting undeservedly obscure stage works that audiences are not likely to encounter elsewhere.
‘Drama Under the Influence’
The American Century Theater’s production of “Drama Under the Influence” runs through March 24
Venue: The Gunston Arts Center’s Theater II, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
Performances: 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on March 11, 17 and 24
Tickets: $23 to $29
More info: 703-553-8782 or www.americancentury.org
