S2S2S’s Next Original Reading is LIFE, LOVE, and the PURSUIT
by Audrey Liebross
A fine theatre company in the Coachella Valley, called Script 2 Stage 2 Screen (S2S2S), specializes in staged readings. An arm of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert (UUCOD) in Rancho Mirage, S2S2S monthly presents new plays that audiences can enjoy at the bargain price of $15.
Coachella Valley Theatre World does not review S2S2S’s performances. Because the two-evening run would be over by the time we’d be able to publish a review, reviews — as opposed to previews — are not overly helpful. Nevertheless, because analysis of the direction, acting, and production design help readers understand more about S2S2S’s work, I have decided to address last month’s show in each preview. Therefore, before I say anything about S2S2S’s next offering, scheduled for March 22 and 23, 2024, a brief critique follows about February’s presentation.
S2S2S’s February comedy, The Most Distinguished Citizen of Ledbetter Gap, written and directed by the Coachella Valley’s own Jason Hull, was a great deal of fun. Jason is the recipient of six Desert Theatre League awards, and has been involved with S2S2S since 2011. He also performs all over the Coachella Valley as an actor.
The play generated lots of laugh, some of it bathroom humor, but the script also had its poignant moments. The story of The Most Distinguished Citizen of Ledbetter Gap involves retired assistant librarian Lucinda Miller, who has been doing good deeds all year in the hope of being recognized on Founders Day with the highest honor in the town of Ledbetter Gap (Population 986): The Most Distinguished Citizen Award. In most towns, Lucinda would probably be a shoo-in, but the award committee isn’t exactly honest — for the umpteenth time, the committee nominates the town’s wealthiest (and meanest) resident. But it sure looks unlikely that the nominee can accept this year. Eventually, Lucinda reveals her reasons for seeking the award, which are highly personal. In the process, she generates even more respect.
The fabulous ensemble cast consists of numerous experienced actors from the area: June August plays Lucinda, supported by Lisa Hammert (Ruby Keene); Timothy Rathke (Cletus Johnson); Kai Brothers (Roscoe Hazlett); Stephen Blackwell (Deputy Charlie Gamble, responsible for most of the bathroom humor); and Alden West (Country Kelly). On the night I saw the show, Jason Hull substituted for an ailing Alden West.
June and Stephen stole the show, with their portrayal of goofball, but good-hearted characters, but everyone else was fabulous, too. Timothy Rathke, as a young gay man whose parents and many of the townspeople have rejected, deserves a shoutout for shining through in a serious role, especially when he was surrounded by so many brilliant, comedic actors.
The company’s March offering is a drama, Life, Love, and the Pursuit, written by Shelley Chester and directed by Don Cilluffo. Sixty-seven-year-old Maxine Stafford meets successful writer Ryan Allen Squire. As Maxine attempts to play matchmaker for Ryan, the two develop an unlikely friendship that changes both their lives. The actors in this drama are Jan Briggs, Paul MacKey, Phylicia Mason, Diane Moore, and Lauren N. Niles. Says Mr. Cilluffo: “[The script] poses a few questions on the definition of what romantic love is, and when it does arrive, can we receive it. Fasten your seatbelts for this rollercoaster ride called love.”
Script2Stage2Screen is the performing arts project of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert (UUCOD), 72425 Via Vail in Rancho Mirage. Performances are at UUCOD on Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 cash or check at the door, or they may be purchased via PayPal on the website: www.script2stage2screen.com. Reservations can be made at script2stage2screen@gmail.com.
The rest of S2S2S’s season consists of:
Young Playwrights’ Celebration: Main Character, by Brooklyn Rutledge (April 19-20, 2024). Cass is a completely, totally, absolutely average high school girl, definitely not anybody who would be a main character. She is overly aware of this fact, and yet, here she is dealing with all the annoyances that come from being the star of the show.
Southlake, by Mike Byham (May 24-25, 2024). We peek in on the life-defining moments of Randall Scott – a Vietnam veteran who with his young, pregnant wife Rose settled into the quiet farming suburb of Southlake, Texas in the early 1970’s. Told through scenes that alternate between the early 70’s and 2022, it’s a story of love, regret, change and redemption. And there’s a ghost.
Engagement Rules, by Rich Orloff (June 21-22, 2024). This comedy follows the intertwined lives of two couples who have become good friends despite (or because of) their multi-decade age gap. Both couples face problems at the intersection of sexuality and spirituality, forcing everyone to face questions that none of them can answer easily.