Excerpted from The Toledo Blade, Toledo, Ohio January 14, 2004
Comedy an antidote for a cold night
By TAHREE LANE
Blade Staff Writer
Theda Blau wears her nuttiness on her sleeve, but a chunk of sanity lurks under that neurotic exterior. She clings to her dreams, envisioning herself as a comedic playwright and a sexy actress. And why not? She's worked hard for it and has to believe it's not too late.
She meets producer Vito Pignoli on Christmas Eve when she auditions for a role in a commercial. He wears his success on the sleeve of his well-tailored jacket. And why not? He's worked hard for it, even sacrificed his dreams.
Everything changes when Vito falls under Theda's spell, though never was there a less willing subject for enchantment.
It Had to Be You is funny, offbeat, and well-acted; the perfect detour to take on a January night. It's at the Village Players, a theater where the sense of community is almost palpable.
Portraying Theda is Debbie Marinik, a co-owner of Boogie Records. Her Theda is a manipulative Gilda Radner-on-uppers sort of character. Despite her desperation, she's cute and endearing, and haven't we all been tempted to act innappropriately bold at times? But could we stand Theda in doses of more than 10 minutes if she were our mate/mother/best friend? Oy veh, no!
Petite in pajamas or a long mink coat, she's leprechaunesque hopping from bed to
desk, hiding Vito's clothes in the freezer, and dramatizing overwrought scenes
from the terrible comedy she wrote.
Equally convincing is Larry Farley as Vito. Initially, he's suave, but his
snarly self surfaces as he finds it rather hard to leave Theda's lair. "I feel
like I'm caught in the middle of a low-budget horror movie," he moans. We
emphathize.
He melts through a dozen emotions, from agony and anger to joy and jollity. Her grip on reality tightens.
We eventually learn what pain it is that feeds Theda's whackiness and that
hardens Vito's heart.
The two-act comedy was written by Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna, a
wife-husband writing and acting team, for themselves. Director is Aggie Alt, who
is supported by a crew that brings it all together and on time.
"It Had to Be You" will be performed at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 24 in the Village Players Theater, 2740 Upton Ave. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and students. Information: 419-472-6817.
Last Modified: 03/24/09