Write Act Repertory presents the world premiere of Not/Now, written by Darrin Yalacki. Directed by Amanda Blake Davis. Produced by Anne Mesa and John Lant.
In a perfect world, friends communicate via text to prepare an engagement party for one of their own, and all is fun and happiness. Except when there’s a little mistake in the text message. That’s the story of Not/Now, a play where a group of friends from Chicago expose their most intimate details, mostly about their failures and frustrations, in a chaotic and hilarious reunion.
A welcome-back party to celebrate the engagement of attention-seeker Goldie (Karen Baughn), who left Chicago to try a career in showbiz in Los Angeles, becomes a messy confusion when Rafael (Oscar Ramirez) misreads a text message explaining that Goldie is no longer engaged, as her fiancé broke up with her in an embarrassing manner. Baker (James Singleton), Tamela (Rachel Lemos), and Vanessa (Lindsay Seim) are the other friends who try to offer some kind of support to Goldie. As the night progresses and under the influence of a few drinks, the support turns sour when underlying issues among the friends are revealed and finger-pointing goes back and forth.
The play touches on themes of sexuality, lost opportunities, the unhappiness of unrealized expectations, and the crushing feeling of being left behind. These topics play very well with the audience as they are relatable issues that transcend race, cultures, and genders. Darrin Yalacki develops interesting backgrounds to each of the characters, offering plenty of surprises to keep the story moving forward and the audience engaged.
The play is an excellent picture of human interaction—scathing, cruel, but deeply compassionate at the end. Despite some actors stumbling a bit over the dialogue, the cast delivered a fantastic performance to a sold-out show on Sunday. James Singleton as Baker and Mason Eaglin as Jack offer outstanding performances as the openly gay friend and the ambiguous stripper respectively. Something interesting to point out is that director Amanda Blake Davis and actor Oscar Ramirez both trained in Second City, a fact that is evident in the directing and acting of both professionals.
The lighting by Zad Potter illuminates the stage in a warm orange/yellowish hue throughout the play, almost like a Mark Rothko’s painting. Details always make a difference.
Production team: Scenic Designer Laura Lineback, House Manger and Boom Operator Jonathan Harrison, Cop Costumer Rashon Wilson.
Not/Now
Write Act Repertory @ the Brickhouse Theatre
10950 Peach Grove Street, North Hollywood, CA 91601
Written by Darrin Yalacki. Directed by Amanda Blake Davis. Produced with Anne Mesa, John Lant & Darrin Yalacki. Featuring Karen Baughn, Mason Eaglin, Rachel Lemos, Oscar Ramirez, Lindsay Seim & James Singleton.
Opening: February 4, 2023. Closing: March 5, 2023
Saturdays 8:00 p.m.
Sundays 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: www.simpletix.com/e/not-now-tickets-122901
