STAGE REVIEW There she is, 'Myth America'

Pam Wilterdink has written an enjoyable program that showcases only part of her range.
By GARRY L. CLARK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CHAMPION -- Friday evening was a homecoming for Pam Wilterdink as she performed her original play "Myth America" for an enthusiastic hometown crowd at the Kent State University Trumbull Campus.
The native of Cortland presented the show, a series of five comic vignettes, with an excellent sense of timing and shrewdly carried out segues.
The stories
Her first offering was "Penny," an amusing little piece that takes place backstage at a Broadway theater in which she is playing -- what else? -- a penny. Of course Penny isn't too thrilled about how small her part has become, but she well remembers when she was worth a lot more.
Next came "The Perfect Couple," in which Wilterdink was joined by the excellent Shannon Smith. Through the course of this very funny story we discover that the heroine, Anne, is a bit tired of her lot in life, but her partner, Andy, likes things just the way they are. Or does he?
Wilterdink showcased an very good circa 1962 housewife Chicago accent in "Apples & amp; Oranges" as she switched back and forth between an Illinois police station and her living room, talking about her husband and children -- and her beloved cuckoo clock. This vignette featured a surprising twist that helped reveal the reason for this perfect little housewife's obvious bewilderment.
Down-home comedy
By far the funniest scene was "Pepsi," which occurs in a Kentucky kitchen. Wilterdink was at her comic best playing an overweight housewife whose sharp tongue tells it like it is and lets the chips fall where they may. Her country accent was spot on, and Smith, portraying a plumber this time, was an excellent foil for her as the two characters realized that they had known each other many years -- and pounds -- before.
The final portion was titled "Supposing While Posing" and carried a certain wistfulness with it as Wilterdink played a model posing for an artist (Smith). This vignette was well-performed entirely in rhyme.
Also appearing, though pretty much only during scene changes, was Anne Robinson, who made those changes into a delightful show within the show. And she hilariously made her love of strawberry shortcake evident. Even the current call was a hoot as Wilterdink donned a tiara for a "runway" walk.
Wilterdink has written an enjoyable, funny program that showcases what is obviously only part of her range, but it bespeaks of bigger things to come.
The audience was invited to remain for a question-and-answer period with the actress after the performance.
clark@vindy.com