BWW Reviews: STAGEright's ALL IN THE TIMING Filled with Quirky Laughs

The great thing about a show with a series of short plays is that if the current short play just isn't working for you, wait ten minutes and you'll be on to the next one. The greater thing about David Ives' "All in the Timing" is that most of his short plays included are gems. And the greaterer thing about STAGEright's current production of "All in the Timing" is that, for the most part (there was really only one that left me saying "Huh?"), the cast and directors have woven together such a tight and well paced show that there's bound to be something for everyone and plenty of laughs for all.

There are actually 14 plays in all in Ives' collection known as "All in the Timing" but STAGEright has chosen their favorite seven to present to us. Ranging from new languages to literary monkeys to variations on romance, the plays all take a look at somewhat ordinary ideas from a new angle. And what STAGEright has done is doled them out to seven different directors (Emily Harvey, Kyle James Traver, Jessica Askew, Mok Moser, Matt Giles, Brendan Mack, and Zandi Carlson) to infuse their takes on them yet keeping them all under the guise of taking place in a laboratory as the scientists study their subjects in these absurd situations. And for the most part that conceit works for the plays. Occasionally it's a stretch but with a little willing suspension of disbelief, that every theatergoer should have, they work. There was just that one that, as I said, left me wanting as they vehemently tried to cram this square peg of a conversation into the round hole of a lab setting which only served to dilute the story it was trying to convey with gimmicks. Which is a shame as if just kept simple, that play can be one of the funniest.

The eight member cast who all play multiple roles is sublime. Ty Bonneville, Andrew Galteland, Katie Kuntz, Adam Minton, Andrew Murray, Eric Olson, Kacey Shiflet, and Amberlee Williams each combine to form a beautiful cohesive whole that keeps the flow of the show going even as, sometimes cumbersome, set changes are being made. And it's that cohesion that makes the show and the conceit of the lab work, for the most part. And while all wonderful I have to note a few bits of incredible up there. Minton seems to have enough character and range inside him for 12 actors as he gave very different voices to each of his characters. Olson's nervous first dater is adorable but only serves to show off the hilarity of his swaggering lothario. Shiflet is a powerhouse as she goes from meek girl on a date to hyper intense scientist with his laser focused ode to a typewriter. Murray also manages his multiple characters well whether it be nervous partygoer or hilariously erudite chimp. And I have to comment on how great his chimp was as he was able to convey volumes with no words at all. And Kuntz practically walked off with every scene she was in as she had the audience in stitches with her pre show antics, dominated a golf game and turned in a stunning retelling of "Of Mice and Men" using only the letter "K". And special kudos to director Brendan Mack whose piece was my favorite of the evening as he managed to convey it through his actors with such laser focused intent.

With a wonderfully simple and practical yet slightly odd set from Brandon Estrella and an amusing sound design from Mack the show definitely knows how to bring the fun. And for someone choosing to stay indoors on these lovely (almost) summer evenings, fun is what you need.

"All in the Timing" from STAGEright performs at Richard Hugo House through June 29th. For tickets or information visit them online at www.seattlestageright.org.

Photo credit: Galen Wicks

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