That Perfect Moment
How does one ever know when it is That Perfect Moment? Perhaps writers Charles Bartlett and Jack Cooper had some inkling of when that might be because they wrote the play with that title eight years ago and are just now mounting it at the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood (now is the “perfect moment”) with music by Sky Keegan. Ironically, Bartlett is from Oxnard, Keegan from Ventura and the play takes place in the San Fernando Valley!
The story revolves around four aging baby boomers. In the 60’s, they had formed a band that was somewhat successful. Each went their own way after a bitter break-up. Lead singer and guitarist Mark Vanown (Tait Ruppert is a Professor, and though he has a job teaching in a college, he still dreams of becoming a big rock star. He spends days strumming on his guitar, dreaming of the past and hoping to be able to relive it. In fact, he has been contacted by a record company offering to record his music if he can get the rest of the members of his band together. He has invited bass player Albert Teesdale (John Bigham), now a chiropractor (not a successful one) and keyboard player Gabriel Vesper (Gluerin Barry) to his home on Christmas Eve to discuss their pending reunion, omitting Skip Chandler (Bruce Katzman). The drummer Skip, the only member who has become successful, originally financed the group and has the rights to the band’s portfolio. Before any of them arrive, Mark’s wife Sarah (Kelly Lester) tells him that she has had enough of his dreaming of the past, and that he must choose between her and the band. When he chooses the band, she walks out on him. When the men get together, Skip unexpectedly shows up and refuses to relinquish the music to them. Then the record company cancels their offer, and before the evening is over, the four men reveal personal things in their lives to one another, their friendships are renewed and they seem to “grow up.” Mark realizes that he can't live in the past, but must begin to look to the future. Fortunately, Sarah returns to pick up some needed items, and upon seeing a new Mark, they are reunited.
Rick Spark directs a talented and well-cast group of actors. Adam Flemming's set, suitably decorated for Christmas, is well done. And the original songs by Sky Keegan augment the production. Performances play Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. through November 8.
NoHo Arts Center
11136 Magnolia Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA
Tickets: (323) 960-7745, online at www.plays411.com/perfect