Guadalajara Reporter - ‘Office Hours’ speed by

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‘Office Hours’ speed by

Written by Jeanne Chaussee

Saturday, 04 October 2008

Anticipation for “Office Hours,” the first offering of Lakeside Little Theatre’s (LLT) 43rd season, reached an alacrity to rival a rocket lift-off. And Jayme Littlejohn, on her first directing assignment, can take a bow and her place with the local bona fide community theater directors.

Whacky and wily, some of the stars of “Office Hours” are (L-R front) Betty Robinson, Tim Welch and Roseann Wilshere (L-R back) Jon DeYoung, Russell Mack and Harry Walker.

The play, by Norm Foster, consists of six separate scenes in six separate offices with different people. The threads connecting them are nearly hidden, like blind stitches in a hem, and viewers need to look closely to find the links. Happily, much of the humor stands on its own without the intensifying connections. This production saw the opening night audience warming to the story, with the laughter increasing to side-splitting guffaws by the end ... exactly as it should have.

The spectacular sets, designed by Peter Palmer and constructed by Alex Pinkerton with help from Harry and Darlene Lockey and Richard Bansbach, were wonky, whacky, with Dali-esque (Salvador, that is) angles, colors, slants and slides that coordinated perfectly with the production. They were decorated by Ken Gosh, Deena Hafker, Linzy Roberts and Veronik Van Ouwerkerk.

Picking highlights from this play, with its particular construction, is impossible. Just let us say that everyone, the tried and true veterans and some interesting new talent, turned in excellent and impressive performances.

The cast included: Keith Scott, Sally Jo Bartlett, Russell Mack, Georgette Richmond, Martha Reuter, Arleen Pace, Roseann Wilshere, Ken Yakiwchuk, Betty Robinson, Harry Walker, Timothy G. Ruff Welch and Jon DeYoung.

Assisting the director was Patty Oxford and Diane Reid was the stage manager. The assistant stage manager was Jan Feise. Emma Bergh-Apton designed and operated the sound and Zane Pumiglia was on the lights. Jan Feise, Maxine Walker and Joyce Vath handled the props and Kristine Moily the wardrobe. The makeup was by Doreen Chaloner, Liz White, Kristine Moily and Tiny Jones.

Well done!

Next up for LLT is the Agatha Christie mystery drama, “The Hollow” with Roseann Wilshere directing. It opens on October 31 with a run until November 9.