Westfield resident Lisa Warner loves that “Critic’s Choice” is set in the 1960s and is full of Broadway, film and general references from that era.
“As a cast, we’ve spent time figuring out the references and understanding why they were included in the show,” Warner said. “Jan Jamison, our director, has made a reference guide of sorts for the audience so that they will understand what we’re referring to in the show.”
“Critic’s Choice” runs March 10 to 26 at Center Stage Community Theatre, 604 Powell St., Lebanon.
Warner portrays Angela Ballantine, the second wife of film critic Parker Ballantine, a New York theater critic. Angela decides to write a play, which creates a dilemma for Parker. Does he go to the opening and write an honest critique of the play, which is awful, jeopardizing his marriage, or not attend the play and jeopardize his job?
“Angela Ballantine is fun to play because she starts out as a stereotypical housewife of the 1960s and goes through tremendous personal growth as the play progresses,” Warner said. “It’s interesting to perform.”
Jamison, a Westfield resident, said she chose and submitted the play to Center Stage to direct.
“The TV was on in the background on the Game Show Network, an old “Password’ edition, and Alan Ludden said he was starting ‘Critic’s Choice’ in an LA theater,” Jamison said. “I looked it up and liked the play, so I submitted it. There is a movie starring Lucille Ball and Bob Hope, but, frankly, I like the play more than the screenplay. Challenges come in the form of keeping everything — costumes, props, set decorations, behavior patterns etc., in 1960.”
Fishers resident Jill O’Malia plays Ivy London, Parker Ballantine’s first wife.
“She is an actress who is a star in the largest magnitude — at least she thinks she is,” O’Malia said. “Ivy is extremely confident and wants her ex-husband back.”
Other cast members include Sydney Loomis, Cicero, as Parker Ballantine; Matt McKee, Whitestown, as Dion Kapakos; and Jesse Acton, Lebanon, as John Ballentine.
For more, visit centerstagecommunitytheatre.com.
