THE ROOMMATE

VINTAGE THEATRE: JAN 13 – FEB 19

L-R: Mari Geasair and Christine Kahane

 

Jen Silverman’s play, “The Roommate” may appear to be just another spin on the female version of the Odd Couple at first glance. But it’s not. Suffice it to say it’s a tale of transformation – a comic mystery replete with enough comic plot twists to keep us guessing all evening long. No spoilers here!

     Sharon, who is newly divorced, needs a roommate so she can keep the bills paid for her Iowa home. Robyn is looking for a place to hide and make a fresh start.

      As the plot unfolds Sharon begins to discover that Robyn has certain “secrets.”

      Thinking about the choices that Robyn has made, it doesn’t take much for Sharon to become enamored of possibilities to reinvent herself by spicing up her own rather empty life.

      Director Bernie Cardell has cast the show impeccably. 

     Ms. Geasair portrays Sharon as a meek, polite woman, who, having spent the entirety of her life taking care of her family, finds herself in a bland, colorless life that’s badly in need of an upgrade.

     As breezy free-spirited Robyn, Christine Kahane displays a quirky persona that, from Sharon’s conservative point of view, is a bit on the eccentric side.

     Together these actors display a chemistry that simmers and occasionally pops, throughout.

     Both Mari Geasair (Sharon) and Christine Kahane (Robyn) are superb talents who theatregoers will remember from their roles in previous shows. Ms. Kahane was the hilarious Frau Blucher in the Vintage production of “Young Frankenstein.”

     Ms. Geasair was a standout as the Nurse in last season’s “Shakespeare in Love,”which was also directed by Ms. Kahane.

     Having paced the show in such a way as to keep us wondering what the next plot twist will reveal, Director Cardell is also responsible for the realistic wrap-around scenic design which puts us as audience right in the middle of Sharon’s Iowa home.

     It’s a funny and intriguing play that has two well-written female roles played by two eminently watchable actors with luminous panache. 

     Go and see if you can unravel the mystery.

 

For tickets call 303-856-7830 or go online at www.vintagetheatre.org

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010