‘Unnecessary Farce’ untrue to title; it’s a must see

By Eva Trieger

Eva Trieger
Eva Trieger
Matthew Wiener
Matthew Wiener

SOLANA BEACH, California — Is there such a thing as a “necessary farce”?  Who doesn’t love the requisite slamming doors, misinterpreted double entendres, and odd couplings?  One man understands this genre better than most, and that man is Matthew Wiener.  Wiener will delight North Coast Rep audiences with another fantastic romp, opening (and slamming doors) April 18th.

The cast is a noteworthy collection of locally known and loved actors.  Their own synergy will be evident as Jessica John, David McBean, Jacque Wilke, Christopher Williams, Ted Barton, Dagmar Fields and John Nutten take the stage.  Many of these actors have worked together in the past and with a witty script and Wiener’s brilliant direction, the house will be packed and responsive.

This director’s previous comedic triumphs at North Coast Rep include Lend Me a Tenor and Perfect Wedding, both of which played to full houses and earned well deserved extensions, catering to guffawing, howling and giggling theater goers.

Wiener acted briefly in college but found his passion in directing.  A few seasons ago, in this same venue, Wiener directed a dramatic comedy, Shipwrecked. This show was powerful and left many audiences pondering the veracity of the seaman’s tale.  Kudos to Marty Burnett who never disappoints us.  The set was creative, inventive and completely credible. The director was quick to state that Burnett is part of the creative genius formula that makes North Coast Rep such a special place.

Originally a New Yorker, Wiener, worked on Sound Design off Canal Street before going further afield to Cleveland, upstate NY, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.  He related that he has also done “Off Off Off Broadway” shows in NY before his stint in the west. When asked if there was a difference between theater east and west, Wiener acknowledged that there is, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

David Ellenstein, Artistic Director of North Coast Rep, met Wiener in Tucson, Arizona when both were involved with the Arizona Theater Company.  They struck up a friendship and a mutual respect formed.  Since then, Ellenstein has invited Wiener to direct a host of shows at North Coast and all have been very well received by San Diego audiences.

There is not a particular show Wiener is “hankering to do.”  The director shared that his current project is always the one he most wants to direct.  He enjoys directing new plays every bit as much as he likes doing traditional standards.

When asked the toughest thing about directing, Wiener told me that it is about trying to get a group of people who may not work together often to “become a cohesive team, create together in a style that works as a play.”  As a director he seeks to find each actor’s talent and weave it into the mix in a “highly performing way so that everyone is successful.”

I wanted to know if there were any particular traits that made an actor difficult to direct.  Wiener described that the best actors are those who are “generous.”  They are willing to listen, they are eager to attempt new things and are not too self-involved, “the same traits as any coworkers in a corporate setting.”

Wiener‘s four grandparents were born in Europe and inculcated a love of literature and art that was strong in his childhood home.  He believes his interest in working in a nonprofit theater and his affinity for pursuing cultural endeavors is linked to his Jewish roots.  As a “product of the New York immigrant experience,” Wiener feels his sensibilities were molded, and his career path, encouraged.

This San Diego premiere features an embezzling mayor, his floozy/accountant, hit men, undercover cops, and a bumper crop of hilarious sides.  There will be a special talk back with the cast following the show on April 24th.  Wiener told me that “audiences should come prepared to laugh….HARD!”

Unnecessary Farce opens Saturday, April 18th and runs through May 10th.  Tickets are available online at www.northcoastrep.org or by phone at 858.481.1055.

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Trieger is a freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts.  Your comment may be sent to eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com, or posted on this website per the instructions below.

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