by Lorie Lewis Ham
This previous weekend Neil Simon’s play Chapter Two opened at 2nd Area Theatre in Fresno offered by Good Firm Gamers. For these like me who had by no means seen the play, or the film, Chapter Two is about current widower and novelist George Schneider (Terry Lewis) whose brother Leo (Henry Montelongo) pushes to start out courting once more. When that goes very badly, George is prepared to surrender. Then Leo finds Jennie Malone (Claira Broach) and every little thing adjustments. The title of the play comes from the thought of getting a second chapter, or second likelihood, at love in life.
George (Terry Lewis) & Jennie (Claira Broach) in GCP’s manufacturing of “Chapter Two”
At first look that is your typical romantic comedy. It’s pleasant, humorous, and candy. Jennie and George first “meet” on the cellphone in an at occasions awkward, but additionally very humorous and charming, dialog that instantly strikes to them assembly in individual, and shortly to being in love. Brother Leo thinks it’s too quick, however then he isn’t the individual one would go to for relationship recommendation together with his personal marriage on the rocks and him being a little bit of a playboy. There’s additionally Jennie’s good friend Faye (Leigh Ratliff) who inspired Jennie to search for love after her divorce, however can be struggling in her personal marriage. Because the story goes alongside, issues take a extra critical flip as George’s trauma from having misplaced who he felt was the one love of his life, and his guilt at discovering love once more, trigger him to drag again from Jennie and lash out verbally. Will their love survive? You’ll have to see the present to search out out.
Faye (Leigh Ratliff) in GCP’s manufacturing of “Chapter Two”
I’ve all the time stated that if Terry Lewis is in a present you possibly can depend on it being good, and this time he was completely good. From the appeal and humor, to the heartbreak of loss and grief—you’re feeling each emotion together with him. Claira as Jennie did a beautiful job as properly and the pair have nice chemistry. Henry and Leigh fill out the small however proficient forged and supply that additional little bit of humor that introduced some gentle to the darker moments of the present—although their characters had their very own critical moments as properly.
Kudos to director Dan Pessano for placing all these items collectively splendidly. And to Ginger Kay Lewis-Reed for costumes, and David Pierce for set design, each all the time prime notch.
Facet word, being a novelist myself, I can let you know that aspect of the story was spot on. George has a line the place he says, “I pry incessantly,” as a result of he’s a author—yep proper on the mark! So in case you are a author, you’ll love this present much more.
In case you are on the lookout for a romantic comedy that additionally has depth, and offers properly with the intense topic of grief, don’t miss Chapter Two! And the ending was good.
Chapter Two is on stage at 2nd Area by way of February 23. The 2nd Area Theatre is at 928 E. Olive Ave, Fresno. For tickets and additional data, contact gcplayers.com, or name (559) 266-9494.
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