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Show McQuay shines; Kerr comes from behind Park Record Thursday, June 18, 1992 Page C5 fromCHAPTER on C3 personable George-the one who starts to relax arid be a human being again. Perhaps the most effective performance in the play comes from an Egyptian newcomer, Jana McQuay, who is understated, warm and funny as Jenny. McQuay has her stiff or awkward moments like everyone else. But for the most part she's remarkable in playing a character who is, in effect, a time-warp time-warp heroine. Think about it. Her character is the type of woman who, in overly-cutesy overly-cutesy moments, scolds herself, using her full name. ("What are you doing, Jenny Malone?") She's vulnerable but spunky, neurotic but guileless. In fact, McQuay reminds you of those '70s women portrayed by people like Diane Keaton and Jill Clayburgh and-Marsha and-Marsha Mason! (Simon's wife and the model for Jennie.) One of McQuay's best scenes is when she returns from a honeymoon gone sour. Jennie is irritable and tipsy-she drank to overcome her nerves the plane flight-but McQuay doesn't do a drunk act Instead Jennie's spunk simply takes on a new tone-it becomes carping and unpleasant The play includes another play of star-crossed lovers-George's protective (and philandering) brother Leo and Jenny's sardonic best friend Faye, who engage in a brief affair. Steven Kerr and Faye Barron play the characters as almost boorish in the early scenes. Kerr sometimes pitches his lines like a baggy-pants comic. At times, he's directed to walk out to the front of the stage and throw his observations, like a comic Greek chorus, directly to the audience. Barron also finds herself on the edge of the stage. Initially, she works too hard at being the loud and wacky best friend, and she has a habit of punching up her laugh lines by acting them out too much with hand gestures. Luckily, both actors settle down and deliver a couple of sensitive, well-crafted character performances. Leo and Faye are transformed from obnoxious sidekicks to people we actually like and care about Kerr plays his womanizer with a nice combination of self-awareness and lust. By the end of the play, Barron gives some of her best line readings (catch her speech, for instance, on the time in life when a woman becomes "remarkable for her age.") Director Henderson has guided her cast while they bloom into believably neurotic, warm, confused characters. Henderson also designed the costumes. The set, designed by Rafael Castanera, includes a bookcase for George that towers about two stories above his study. (I kept waiting for the moment It takes two to speak the truth-one truth-one to speak, and another to hear. Henry David Thoreau PARK CITY PERFORMANCES At the Egyptian Theater Presents a Directed By Dlan Henderson June 12-July 3 Thursday thru Saturday 8:00PM Egyptian Theatre 328 Main Street Park City 7 If V when George would try to retrieve a volume from the top shelf.) As I said before, the actors and directors need to work more on their handling of the comic dialogue and interplay. Other than that Henderson's direction only showed one isolated, bizzare lapse. There's argmportant climactic moment where Jennie rises up and scolds George for his emotional limbo. But Henderson chooses to play the scene partly for slapstick; George briefly picks up Jenny and slings her over his shoulder, as if he was John Wayne. Park City Performances production of Chapter Two needs work. But look at it this way. The opening night was just an introductionthe "awkward call." The "charming call", I'm sure, will come later. Chapter Two is Simon caricature from PLAY on C4 a bit too much character to Faye and Leo. Ultimately, Simon's script prevails. The difficulties with the presentation are in finding the play's subtle undertones-but the final product is quite amusing, and the actors offer a vital, lively performance. The set designed by Rafael Castanera, is adequate; this is not a set-intensive production (though the swaying of the tall doorways is a bit disconcerting). Similarly, the costumes by Henderson fit the bill. Chapter Two isn't what you would call a lapse in PCP's consistency. Let's just say it's a light summer presentation. JAZZ TICKETS 92-93 Season Wish to buy a pair of season tickets or share Please call 645-7490 I f! J (fp s silt t& ij Ry u ft Reservations recommended, 225 4107 Norwegian School of Nature Life's SUMMER ADVENTURE PROGRAMS (For area youth - we can work with you on cost!) 1 MOUmiNEERINGCLIMBim 1 mountain mkInH I Day Climbs $38.00 Day Rides $20.00 In the Uinta and Wasatch Mtns. $11 for bike rental June 18; July 17; Aug. 10 Every Monday & Tuesday Trip (3 days, 2 nights) .,T . c Wasatch Range: July 12-14, Aug. 12-14 TfT , . (2 days, 1 night) $22 bike rental Advance Trip (4 days, 3 nights) 2nd & 4th Monday & Tuesday of each month Grand Teton Group size 5-12 persons Experience required - Aug. 22, 23, 24, 25 ' 111 1 11 ; ; f Group size 8-12 persons J WATER RAFTING BACKPACKINC Day Trip $35.00 n. , , i" i Z June 19, 23; July 6 and 27; August 21 Orientation Day Hikes $28.00 Weher&Provo River June 25. July 15, Aug. 12 Weber & Provo Rivers Trips (3 days, 2 nights) $118.00 Trips (3 days, 2 nights) $185.00 IntheHighUintas June 29 & 30, July 1 June 28-30, July 19-21, August 16-18 Alpine Canyon (Jackson Hole) Group size 8-12 persons Group size 10-12 persons 544 Park Ave. (801) 649-5322 Additional Custom Trips Available Iflli |