Theater Reviews

Sep 14, 1999 - RLT Opens Its 65th Season with a "Sing On" that's Off Key

By Jack Neal

Playwright Rick Abbottís "Sing On" is the musical companion piece to Abbottís straight play and comedy, "Play On," which was part of the Reno Little Theaterís last season. Evidently it was considered successful enough to bring "Sing On" on board for this season.

I didnít see "Play On" so Iím out of the loop for that kind of connection. And I didnít see Act II of ìSing Onî (there were only two acts) at last Sundayís matinee (9/12/99) because of a schedule conflict with a concert at the University of Nevada, Reno. A full view of "Sing On" canít be given, at least not from this quarter. So there you have it - a critic whoís only seen half a play, yet writes a review in spite of that kind of major omission.

At the outset, let me commend "Sing Onís" cast and crew for their love and dedication to the heroic cause of local theater. Kathy Easly, director and actress, technical director Diana Carter, sound effects man Mel Hawes, lighting designer Rick Patton, and the "Sing On" players: Kathy Easly, Mel Hawes, Paul C. Dancer, Robert Chase, Jill Pearson, Jami McDonald, Jim Bemis, Natalie Healey, Dan Dailey, Harriet Beaman and John Rutski II. All are wonderful in their own way. All seem to be having a marvelous time, which is part of what semi-professional, or non-professional, theater is about.

Community theater is an important part of a thriving arts town. Actors, too, and other kinds of stagecraft people are important. Reviews, if theyíre fair, are important. And audiences are important. Audiences may be the most important part of review writing and the most important ingredient to remember, when encouraging compelling theater and scuttling the unattractive stuff. Certainly Reno Little Theater, Nevadaís oldest community theater, is important. Thatís but another reason why itís awkward to write a notice about dedicated players, workers and a venerable old theater company, when so much is haywire with what theyíve done that one canít imagine an Act II of redemption following an Act I that has so little going for it.

The premise of "Sing On," as with "Play On," is the attempt of a little theater company of non-pros to put on a play, in this case a pseudo musical, when nothing falls into its proper place. The notion that "if" the script is a disaster (including, in this case, a terribly unkind running gag), the director is searching for a direction to go, the actors are stumbling over their lines, the set isnít as it should be, the costumes are a mess, the sound effects are all miscued and the music has yet to find a common key - that all those "ifs" will lead to hilarity for an audience is only true, if all of the foregoing really arenít true.

Unfortunately, theyíre all too true with this RLT effort, making Act I too much of a hurdle for Act II to overcome. Pitty, because thereís so much well-intentioned work that could pan out under better circumstances. Comedy and farce are difficult to play. The slightest over-play or under-play makes what might be a hoot fall flat. And thatís whatís happened with "Sing On."This poorly written play (at least Act I) may have been a hoot in readings, rehearsal and backstage, but none of what I saw translates into anything that might make an audience have any kind of sustained fun with this show. RLTís "Sing On" is for close friends and family and for those out to prove a critic dead wrong.

"Sing On" plays this Friday (9/17/99) and Saturday at 8, and closes with a Sunday matinee at 2. Performances are at the Reno Elks Club, 597 Kumle Lane, Reno. For information call 775 331 1877.