Roses In December
Roses In December, by Victor L. Cahn, is a play with two characters that tells the entire story through the correspondence between Carolyn Meyers (Amy Moorman) and Joel Gordon (Lary Ohlson). This production, directed by Melanie MacQueen, is the third major production of the 2011-2012 season at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills. The rather austere set (Jeff G. Rack) places Carolyn on one side of the stage and Joel on the opposite side as they verbally "write" to one another, never making physical contact.
Joel is a famous author who shies away from publicity, an alumnus of the university where Carolyn is a graduate student. She is a great admirer of Joel Gordon who happens to be the subject of her PhD. The correspondence evolves after Carolyn is asked by the university to contact Joel with an invitation to the school to accept an honorary award. Naturally, he declines, but Carolyn does not give up on him and writes to him again. Finding her persistence worthy of his interest, Joel responds, and from then on their correspondence becomes more lengthy, more probing, and friendlier. It becomes "Dear Joel" and Dear Carolyn" rather than "Dear Mr. Gordon" and "Dear Ms Meyers." When the questions from Carolyn arise from an unpublished book written by Joel, the title of which is Roses In December, Carolyn discovers that Joel and her parents were classmates together at the university, and there is much to uncover about their relationships. Eventually, Carolyn learns a great deal about her family, but "all's well that ends well" when Carolyn and Joel write their final letters.
I suppose it can be a problem with any play that is written with two people communicating on stage through letters. It has been done by other playwrights. But it can become a bit frustrating to hear "Dear Carolyn" and "Dear Joel" being repeated after each "monologue." However, Moorman carries her role with just the right emphasis and energy. Ohlson, a long-time member of Theatre 40, who has appeared in many of their productions, is resolute in his performance as Gordon, but on opening night, he faltered over several lines.
Roses In December plays Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM, in Theatre 40's Reuben Cordova Theatre, 241 Moreno Drive in Beverly Hills. It will continue through Sunday, December 18. Tickets can be purchased on line at www.theatre40.org, or by telephone at (310) 364-0535.