Who doesn’t enjoy a play within a play? I know I do. However, with The Attic Theater’s production of Jeff Whitty’s The Hiding Place make sure you drink your caffeine and pay close attention at the beginning of the play. The connection and distinction between the two characters could easily be missed.
Without giving anything away, here is a quick rundown of the plot. Set in New York City in the 1990s, Karl (played by Brian Shnipper), a writer, and his male buddies, Leon (played by Jan Munroe), an actor, and George (John Szura), an artist, are out dining when they begin to yuk it up with their waitress, Myra (played beguilingly by understudy Kasey Wilson). She catches their attention, most importantly Karl’s, who is married and a fellow writer (albeit much more successful). Another chance encounter between Karl and Myra begins an exchange of letters they place in a secret “hiding place” in the city. Eventually, things do not go well for the blossoming couple and let’s just say Myra gets her revenge through her playwriting, which causes its own twists and turns for those around them.
I cannot tell whether it is Whitty’s writing, the directing, or the acting that leads things astray for me much earlier than the couple’s actual demise. For one thing, Karl’s behavior does not give one the impression he has any true longing for Myra. So, when they consummate the relationship and he turns back to his wife, there is no conflict for him. Maybe the character is meant to be somewhat heartless so that the eventual revenge Myra extols on Karl is more palatable for the audience. However, the references in Whitty’s dialogue of artistic “longing” (and the twist at the end) point to a different result and thus, the central love story did not drive the play as I believe it should have.
However, I do recommend you see the Attic Theater’s production of The Hiding Place because it demonstrated for me the similarities between falling in love and the depths of artistic inspiration. Whitty (winner of the 2004 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Avenue Q) seems to be saying the origins of love and art are one in the same, as Karl states: “love and imagination are the same impulse.” The adept cast, under the direction of Kevin Fabian, wonderfully plays out Whitty’s love letter with artistic expression. This exploration in itself is worth leaving the bright, sun-drenched, Pink-berry’d Los Angeles, to hide out in Whitty’s Manhattan, filled with darker, wittier, artistic possibilities.
If this sounds too deep for some, perhaps I can make a comment on a prior description of the play as “a quirky romantic comedy.” I am not sure I entirely agree, given some of the heavy drama included here.
Nevertheless, this production definitely served up the quirky with the comedy. This can be seen through many of the characters such as Kasey Wilson’s, Myra, the quirky, would-be, up-and-coming playwright; in Jen Kays, who plays Myra’s fellow waitress, the sarcastic, initially jaded actress Jean; but, especially Jan Munroe who brilliantly and hilariously plays the veteran actor Leon. Christine Stump who plays Katrina, Karl’s long-suffering wife and John Szura’s George, the aging gay artist who has his own artistic journey, both do a good job and are enjoyable to watch. Brian Shnipper’s, Karl is believable and entertaining as an admitted “Luddite” and intellectual. All in all, the acting was so good that the minimal set was the right choice.
If you would like to see “The Hiding Place” here are all the details for the play:
*The play runs from not until Sat, Jun 28
*Showtimes are: Friday and Saturday at 8 PM | Sunday Matinee at 2 PM
*You can Buy Tickets here for $20
*For more information you can visit their website.
Attic Theatre & Film Center
5429 W. Washington Blvd.
E. Of Culv.Cty. between Hauser & Fairfax
Los Angeles, CA 90016 - Map
Written by Guest Writer Emily Branden
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