Time Flies and Others by Ives
nytheatre.com review by Lisa Ferber
May 28, 2007
David Ives specializes in an absurd sort of humor which invites the viewer to come into his world. Time Flies & Others by Ives, a 90-minute performance of some of his one-acts, offers a fun evening in the cozy cabaret setting of the Laurie Beechman Theatre.
This is a high-spirited cast (most notably Collin Mackenzie Smith and David Ledoux, whose chemistry in the first of their two pieces together fills the stage with dynamic energy), well directed in pacing and tone by Jordana Kritzer. The good-looking set design suits the colorful feeling of the writing.
The first play, Time Flies, revolves around a couple of mayflies who meet, fall in love, get frisky with each other, then learn they are about to die. It includes this cute banter: "Do you want a drink?" "I'd love a drink." "Great, let me just turn off a couple of fireflies."
In Degas, C'est Moi a fellow decides to live his day as though he were French Impressionist painter Edgar Degas. Next came my least favorite, Dr. Fritz. or the Forces of Light, a story of a man in pain who visits a doctor only to be confronted by a wacky receptionist and then finally a harsh German doctor. This just doesn't seem to go anyplace, though it does include the effectively silly line, "I am a highly qualified sturgeon."
Next up, Babel's in Arms, in which Smith and Ledoux play a couple of fellows given the great task of building a tower to God, with Jordan Coughtry as a eunuch, Jessica Ires Morris as the tough businesswoman, and Emily Madison as the high priestess.
In Arabian Nights, an American traveler comes to buy souvenirs and deals with an aggressive matchmaker.
Last came my absolute favorite, in style, writing, and execution: Mystery at Twicknam Vicarage. This is a spoof of every British murder mystery and includes bizarrely funny sexual implications, impeccable timing, and a few well-aimed drink tosses. The cast is at its highest form in this one. Sample dialogue: "My husband...you slept with him, didn't you?" "Only once, but it wasn't very successful."
All in all, quite an enjoyable evening.
