Local playwright Tim Kaldahl has graduated - with honors - from award-winning one-acts to a full-length comedy-drama, ``Marlin Perkins Under Glass,`` at the Shelterbelt.
A witty script, poignant and funny, celebrates and skewers Omaha life with a tale about life`s choices and love`s games. First cousin to ``About Schmidt,`` this story shows its trapped animal a way to escape. Kaldahl won Theater Arts Guild awards for best one-acts the past two seasons. All his scripts show keen insight into the psyche of Midwesterners, and he exploits our fondness for making fun of ourselves.
With ``Marlin Perkins,`` Kaldahl taps into Omaha`s deep vein of restless souls who dream of a more adventurous, less smothering existence, even as they burrow into a comfortable rut. Remember ``Mutual of Omaha`s Wild Kingdom``? Marlin Perkins used to narrate between film segments, using factoids about wildlife as transitions. Kaldahl employs Perkins as narrator here, wryly observing a rare species: ``the native urban Nebraskan.``
Exhibit A is Niel, a writer for an insurance company who hates his job. He`s engaged to Connie, a computer tech from work. Niel is a frustrated novelist, a dreamer being led by quiet and unassuming - but controlling - Connie to a house in the suburbs. Suddenly an e-mail from the Czech Republic offers Niel a job in Prague, along with a tempting chance to renew a relationship from when he spent a year abroad. Sarka is the girl he can`t forget, and Prague is an alluring alternative to strip malls.
Connie, who lacks wanderlust, loves family routine and hates subtitled films, is left reeling. Co-workers Ed and Annie, who introduced them, now whisper bad advice in their ears. Marlin pops up in disguise to add his two cents. Suddenly, both Connie and Niel are cornered animals. Kaldahl`s characters aren`t black and white, his ending not pat.
Some judicious editing could enliven things further. Although the second act dragged a bit (particularly an early Annie-Connie scene), his dialogue mostly sings while the story engrosses. That`s due in no small part to an engaging and talented cast. Jim Palmer and Nora Vetter are dead on as Niel and Connie, and you readily see what attracts them to each other. Denny Maddux gives a standout comedic performance as long-dead Perkins, tongue firmly in cheek as he slays us with timing, droll delivery and sharp, lively eyes. Matt Kelehan, as Ed, rivals Maddux with a steady supply of comedic relief. Abby Gregor, as alluring Sarka, and Sarah Podendorf, as Annie, complete the ensemble.
Director Daena Schweiger largely overcomes a double handicap (not much action, small playing areas) by coaxing strong portrayals from her cast. Pacing may pare the 21/2-hour running time as the show settles in. |
