ONE STROKE AT A TIME

ONE STROKE AT A TIME 

SWIMMING AT LANKERSHIM ARTS CENTER

I never thought I’d be writing these words in a review, but “ripped from the headlines” is what the new play Swimming, produced by the Road Theatre Company, now playing at the Lankershim Arts Center in North Hollywood, is all about.

Written by Steve Totland and directed by Meryl Friedman, the action takes place on an almost bare stage, less a butcher block table, four chairs, and the thickest slab of movable board, all set against a huge backdrop which one can imagine to be the ocean, the forest, or anything else set designer Laura Fine wants it to be.

Onto the stage appear Denise and David, (Shana Gagnon and Shaun O’Hagan), a ten-year married couple, talking, cavorting and kissing.  Some of the kisses feel quite real; other don’t.  There is an 11 year difference between them, and the mood brightens considerably as Denise announces she’s pregnant.

We then move to meet Mark and Alice (Chet Grissom and Heather Sher), Denise and David’s two “best friends” who are merely living together and who also talk, cavort and kiss, though less frequently.  Now Denise announces her pregnancy to the thorough delight of all.

When Mark and David have a chance to go swimming, the action really begins, for there are problems—serious problems—that create questions, doubts, and give the play its raison d’etre. 

The Lankershim Arts Center is located at 5108 Lankershim Blvd.,  North Hollywood; for tickets, call (866) 811-4111.