By Eva Trieger
SAN DIEGO -Have you ever stopped to think where Calvin would be without his tiger pal, Hobbes, Elwood P. Dowd sans Harvey, the six foot rabbit, or for the younger set, Riley lacking Bing Bong? Imaginary friends serve a function for so many children, and for so many reasons. But what happens to our imaginary friends when we outgrow the need to have these companions?
Trinity Theatre Company in Mission Valley opened IFs (Imaginary Friends) last weekend. The play was written and conceived by Thomas Misuraca. It was workshopped after being selected in a new works festival. After some rewrites Artistic Director Sean Boyd is thrilled to bring IFs (Imaginary Friends) a full scale production to Trinity Theatre Company.
Boyd and Misuraca have worked together previously and it was obvious that they admire each other’s work and skill sets from the comments in our telephone interviews. The New Works Studio at Scripps Ranch Theatre had the pair collaborating on Cyber-O, written by Misuraca and directed by Boyd. Past productions include The Stark Truth of Humanity and A Good Game.
Misuraca has written over 170 one-act plays, many of which have been performed in all major US cities and before audiences in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Asia. Among this playwright’s vast body of works, is a play he recently wrote for a cast showcasing actors of differing abilities. This concept is currently being massaged to create a full-length Off-Broadway show for this very purpose.
Reading Misuraca’s biography is inspiring and eye-popping. It seems that this writer is filled with new ideas and is constantly willing and able to bring them to writing contests and stages near and far. His participation in festivals, and his submission of scripts to competitions is nothing short of phenomenal.
Under Mia Spencer’s direction, imaginary friend, Pippin, is no longer needed by the child who created her. Fearing being erased if no longer necessary, Pippin reaches out to other imaginary friends, who’ve “aged out.” Through a fellow IF, Dab, they meet some senior citizens and form some new bonds. As you might imagine, befriending an older person comes with a new set of challenges as the IFs discover.
This dramedy is appropriate for audiences 13 and up as some of the content is poignant. The characters are written in such a way that renders them “eccentric and ebullient,” according to Boyd. “The play demonstrates the need for human compassion. The characters are sharing stories and listening to each other. They are trusting.”
I asked Boyd if he thought audiences might have questions at the end of the play and was told, “I hope so. I want people to leave talking or experience a call to action. I hope they’ll be thinking, ‘I should call so-and-so.’” The Artistic Director described the excitement new works provide. For everyone involved there is the sense that there is still work to be done.
Interestingly, Misuraca began writing IFs (Imaginary Friends) during the pandemic, however, due to public distancing and theatre restrictions, plays could only have four actors. After allowing IFs (Imaginary Friends) to collect a bit of dust, the playwright brought it out and reworked it. Last year, he felt the play was ready to share.
Asked about his own imagination, Misuraca confessed his stuffed animals acted as his friends. He recalled that he had a very active imagination. In fact, as a first grader he made up a story that so impressed his teacher, she had him perform it for the second grade!
I wanted to understand the allure of producing a new work. Here’s what I was told, “It’s my chance to tell a story I haven’t told before with people I haven’t told stories with. Getting to see it come to life.” The playwright is looking forward to observing audience reactions to the humor, as well as to emotional pieces. He believes that they will be able to tap into the importance of family, loved ones and friends, and gain an appreciation for the need to reach out.
The cautionary tale of IFs (Imaginary Friends) is “don’t let life be too serious. Don’t be too much in the way of yourself.” Misuraca encouraged viewers to “be yourself at any age, and never give up on having an imagination and giving yourself time to have fun and play.”
How does Misuraca feel about Trinity Theatre? “They’re like a family. They take theatre seriously and have fun with it while giving everything to every work. It’s a great community to be a part of and being here feels so natural. From the front of house to the back room, everyone is all in!”
IFs (Imaginary Friends) will run through December 14. Tickets may be purchased via https://trinityttc.org/current-productions/ or by phone at 619.500.4985.
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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in the arts.
Sounds delightful. Thanks for the fine review.