Neil Simon’s ‘Chapter Two’ still wows them

By Eva Trieger

Eva Trieger
Eva Trieger

SOLANA BEACH, California — With friends and collaborators like Mel Brooks and Woody Allen, it is not too surprising that Neil Simon turned out so many successful comic shows, including Barefoot in the Park, Plaza Suite, The Return of Max Dugan and The Odd Couple.  What is surprising is how his writing has held up for nearly fifty years.  Chapter Two opened to a full house on Saturday night, and the responsive North Coast Repertory audience was clearly enthralled.

George Schneider (David Ellenstein) has just returned from Europe, where he had hoped to recover from the loss of his cherished wife, Barbara.  The New Yorker and his brother, Leo (Louis Lotorto) discuss George’s getting back in the dating game.  Leo’s taste in women isn’t quite the same as his big brother’s and names like Bambi conjure up images that make the rather conservative George uncomfortable, at best.

That is until Leo gives him Jennie Malone’s (Jacquelyn Ritz) number.  However, George, a writer, mistakenly believes he is calling a reference librarian.  This begins a series of witty, quip-filled phone calls, wherein George suggests a meeting just to have a “look”; it’s decidedly not a date.  George, expresses some self-doubt about his ability to banter since his last date was 14 years earlier, “If I seem inept…” is met with Jennie’s retort, “You seem ept enough.”  He describes his hesitancy in meeting because his brother’s previous social arrangements for George “ended like the Andrea Doria.”

Jennie’s best friend, Faye (Mhari Sandoval) is a soap opera actress, who craves more drama from her offstage life and sexless marriage.  She fantasizes about intimacy and when she can’t get it from her husband, she decides that she will have a tawdry affair with Leo, who is experiencing a lull in his own matrimonial union.

George shocks his brother by announcing his plans to marry Jennie, whom he’s only known for a couple of weeks.  Urging him to proceed slowly, Leo says, “You’d wait six weeks for a dental appointment, and that’s when you’re in pain!”  Leo exits after saying, “I was born to be a Jewish mother” referring to his worry over his brother’s hasty decision.

The second act opened appropriately with Spyro Gyra’s “Morning Dance” nailing the year perfectly.  Leo has come to see Jennie to reason with her and talk her out of marrying George so quickly.  He cautions her that her fiancé cannot let go of the memory of Barbara.  However, the besotted duo, marry and run headlong into an abyss of unmet expectations.

George is hung up on his former wife’s memory and feels guilty for falling in love with Jennie.  Jennie, who has been overly solicitous and understanding, finally sheds her self-effacing calm, and tells George that if he “won’t opt for happiness” there is little she can do.  Further, she tells him that she is a great catch and if he can’t see it, it’s his loss.  George retreats and heads off to a hotel on the West Coast to think.

Jennie dejectedly returns to her apartment inadvertently interrupting Faye’s tryst with Leo.  After the trio deal with the embarrassment and confusion, Jennie is left alone and tries to call George at his hotel.  He had an epiphany prior to checking into the hotel and is calling her from his apartment in New York.  The two have a frank discussion and the audience shares in their acknowledgment of the connection they’ve made and their vision of a blissful future together.

With the expert collaborative direction of David Ellenstein and Christopher Williams, teamed with Marty Burnett’s meticulously perfect set, and four vastly talented actors, the show is a winner and its popularity has deservedly outlasted all of Neil Simon’s five marriages put together.

Chapter Two will run at North Coast Repertory Theater through March 29th and tickets are available at the box office 858.481.1055 or online at northcoastrep.org

*
Trieger is a freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts. Your signed comment (first and last name) may be posted in the space provided below or sent to eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com