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‘Sketchy Comedy’ showcases strong talent
By LORRAINE WARDLE
YOUNGSTOWN
The Rust Belt Theater Company is dedicated to producing original works by local playwrights. Their latest production is a compilation of one-act plays.
“A Night of Sketchy Comedy” features eight short one-act plays. The sketches are written by Michael Dempsey, Mary James, Roger Jones and Robert Dennick Joki. Each play is unique and tells its own story. Together, the pieces are funny, poignant and thought-provoking.
The four playwrights have a wide range of experience in writing and theater, but their plays fit together well and flow nicely from one to another. The pace of the entire production is quick and the production transitions smoothly from one play to the next.
Mary James wrote and directed her two pieces, titled “Regurgitating Bob” and “Victor Death.” In the first, four actors each play a character named Bob. Celena Coven’s Bob is very calm and informative, while Donnette Bishop’s is on edge and vulgar. James Hain’s Bob is the most experienced and laid-back. The three try to explain the secret of life, as it were, to new Bob, played endearingly by America McNeil.
In James’ second piece, David Cirelli’s Gary is a sweet but nervous office worker with a crush on Rachel Clifford’s perfectly nasty Libby. Shilo Nierhorster is kind and charming as their co-worker, Caroline.
Roger Jones writes rather absurdist pieces. In “The Beautiful Nose,” McNeil is now a love-struck youth attempting to profess her love to Clifford’s unsure ing nue. In “The Explorers Club” Cirelli is joined by Kage Coven and Celena Coven to form a trio of coolly diabolical adventurers.
Robert Dennick Joki is known for his myriad original works. “Serial Monogamy” sets two people on a blind date. Cirelli and Tricia Terlesky excelled at portraying their uncomfortable, awkward characters. Erica Perna shined in “Well Baby” as the beleaguered mother of child stuck in a well.
Michael Dempsey has amassed a long list of writing credits in his career. His two new pieces, “Hampshire Hamster” and “Birthright,” were expertly directed by Kage Coven. In “Hampshire Hamster,” McNeil and Aedan Hnida hilariously discuss the surprising benefits of their pets.
In “Birthright” Hain plays a man searching for his birth mother. Katrina Mink’s Margaret is not what he had in mind. Hain and Mink were perfect in their portrayals of stark opposites.
The eight short plays of the evening were diverse and entertaining. The strong cast and well-written scripts created a perfect showcase of some of the area’s best talent.
“A Night of Sketchy Comedy” continues at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at The Rust Belt Theater, in the Calvin Center at 755 Mahoning Ave., just west of downtown Youngstown. For reservations, call or text 330-507-2358.