Theater Review: "TRYING," Two Vastly Different People Amazingly Find "WORTH" via Understanding

Theater Review: PATCH: Entertainment Event for Neighboring Southern California Cities“TRYING”… Long .Beach ICT City Theater’s Aug/Sept Play, TRYING Is As Fine an Up-Close Live 2-Person Old/Young Gem To See... Fun/Deep/Sad/Wise & All-Heart !

Reviewed By: Joseph Sirota

Long Beach’s International City Theatre (ICT) has always been a fine, admirable and creatively diverse live-theater. But, even more hoorah worthy, is that as they near their 30 year anniversary, rather than running out of good ideas, or creative ideas, they’re achieving even more shows that not only entertain vividly, but truly stand memorable. Their current play, “TRYING” is among best play this year in any South California theater. Playwright, Joanna McClelland took a long, long time to put a real life unique early growing, part of her young, life into a theatrical two-person play. One is, Judge Biddle, is 82, outstandingly having lived an all-American Favorite and grand politico, but, alas, as we meet him, now is only riding memories of great, daring days( & his dear wife), as his weak body and current un-sharpening mind, move him daily to thoughts of being near the End Of His Grand Days. The other person in the play (& real-life story) centers on Sarah stepping in Washington D.C. at the new beginning of adult path life... stepping into hopes, dreams and kilowatts of internal energy to step out into the world and make something worthwhile of her mid twenties key steps off her former north Canadian farm and cold days sans any well-known family stars or “rich-galore”, quite unlike finest schools & society as was plentiful with the Judge from his beginning. So it was in true life, playwright Joanna McCloud Glass, found herself facing similar “key” days when she, too in mid 20’s at became Big Judge’s Assistant.

Only many, many years later, as Joanna was already a writer (and a very darn “GOOD ONE” that she decided to write the play that she had carried around lots of “pieces” & reminiscences for a goodly pile of years & life paths, until she felt ready, to pull together & share with us.

I was so instantly (& then throughout this play to the last words, that I feel this is a sacred, unveiling of a delightful, yet also sad at life’s steps where we break a leg just we might have had days of dancing a jolly jig with that leg, or same person we wander into life crossroads in life, tough we never expected them (& perhaps, never even got along with them, ... nor even thought we could tolerate them, at first). Such is the sharp story, brilliant dialogs, and endless comedic winds soaring by each moment, and ultimately to find and realize that in real life, we are going to finally come to know that in virtually every person we cross roads with... there will be some inner meanings to dislike, and some “parts” to love, but we will all be missing the whole garden of life if we can only see Hate of Love, because we are set in our personal ways (of steel). i would offer a thought that this play might get you (or as a couple) to gain more from this play in 2 hours than 20 marriage PhD visits. Politics go zipping by too, in many dialogs centering around the Judge’s high-lauded place by waves around him. But dear Sarah, oh my do she vote too?

Every one putting together this ICT production of “TRYING“ I’d say, fills it with lighting, understanding, creation and a visible halo of really caring and being clearly adding their talent deeply into the end product gem. John Henry Davis directed the play so well, I would swear the playwright must have flown 3000 mile here to tell him just what she’d hoped for (he’s 100% on target & heart). Artistic Director/Producer caryn desai also seems to also add her magical aura that simply revolves around this kind of play clairvoyantly. As for the CAST -- I would not change a single word, nor any facial expression, nor one body movement of pain, or delight, and each “fits” their part as if it were sculpted by Rodin... if not a Michelangelo on the spot creation-- only moving all around the stage(hardly rigid for nary a moment). Tony Abatemarco is magnificent in his bringing to life a very special man who has had everything superb in most of his life, and knows he’s very smart, yet does see deep inside that he is on his last years and it’s time for him to slow down on his ever powerful complaints to others, and to turn of his last energy, to taste and show his appreciation, and downright caring for the few people around him that he deeply NEEDS (Tony was great at RED in ICT, so good to see here again.

Paige Lindsey White has a remarkable ability to change characters amazingly believably and smoothly. She absolutely has Sarah grow and radiate important minutes, hours, days, weeks, months... etc throughout her time with the judge, making us see they seem to have not a chance to tolerate each other for any jobs, yet shows the combo of strength to try & word hard, finally breaking through the rusty iron insides of the Judge. Paige, also was an actor I enjoyed extremely positively here at ICT in Ghost-Writer, again showing soaring changes in the lead character’s arc from opening to final curtain. It was good to see her at ICT again & what a talent she is in a number of California Top spots. As for the off stage team, ICT has a super team and always makes us feel we’re in a special event. There’s a huge team, so forgive me to say they all make the productions capture the audience with key creativity, Bravo to JR Bruce, Donna Ruzika, Kim DeShazo, Dave Mickey, Anthony Gagliardi, Molly McGraw, Michael Donovan and the many hard-working and creative-thinking start-hearted ICT team.

Called “exquisitely literate, moving and compelling” by Daily Variety,

. --- “TRYING”- at International City Theatre (ICT) with warmth charm & insight @ the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach. Schedule: Thurs, Fri & Sat @ 8 pm & Sun matinees @ 2 pm. Closes: September, 14. Tkts: $42-$47. Call: (562) 436-4610 / Internet: www.ictlongbeach.org