The expression “It’s all relative” takes on new meaning in Lamar Theatre’s newest production, “All in the Timing.” The six one-act plays by David Ives cover a variety of topics, but, ultimately, all touch on the themes of time, connection, language and identity. The production runs Nov. 12-17 in the Studio Theatre at Lamar University.
“‘All in the Timing,’ is actually a collection of short, comedic plays that explore the relative nature of time and connection,” said Rebecca Stone Thornberry, director. “At first glance, the plays seem all over the map, but what draws them together is that all six plays are about human connection: the ways we find to successfully relate to one another and the missteps we take along the way. They all explore concepts of randomness and how chance affects vital aspects of our lives, from the people with whom we fall in love to how a masterpiece such as ‘Hamlet’ might be created.”
The first of the one-act plays that “All in the Timing” comprises is "Words, Words, Words," which addresses the “infinite monkey theorem” that a monkey hitting keys at random for an infinite amount of time will eventually create any given text, such as Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” It also guesses at what type of things monkeys talk about while they type.
"The Philadelphia" presents a young man in a restaurant who has fallen into "a Philadelphia," a state-of-mind in which he gets the opposite of what he wants.
In "The Universal Language," a man who is the creator of a make-believe comic language tries to teach his new language to a young woman with a stammer. The two characters interact in an exotic verbal display and eventually fall in love.
“Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread" is a parody of experimental art that features the contemporary composer having a moment of existential crisis in a bakery.
"Variations on the Death of Trotsky" depicts the Russian revolutionary on the day of his demise, desperately trying to cope with the mountain-climber's axe he's discovered in his head.
"Sure Thing" finds two people meeting in a cafe and finding their way through a conversational minefield as an offstage bell interrupts their blunders and false starts.
Ives’ work was subtly influenced by absurdist playwrights such as Samuel Beckett and Eugene Ionesco, explained Stone Thornberry.
“These plays are incredibly well-written and smart,” she said. “And because they are not realistic, they are able to explore things about the human condition that we can’t see through the lens of reality.”
The cast includes Natalia Albacete and Shea Deurler, Beaumont; Bethany Eldrid, Nederland; Jared Fall, Orangefield; Steven Hoffman, Silsbee; Megan Kendall, Lumberton; Chris Murray, Beaumont; Kyle Romero, Orangefield; Morgan Rowland; and Carley Stewart, Silver Springs.
“All in the Timing” runs two hours with one intermission. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Nov. 12-14 and Nov. 16-17, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15. The Studio Theatre is located in University Theatre on the campus of Lamar University at 4400 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Beaumont. Tickets are $10 general admission; $7 for senior citizens, students and LU faculty/staff; and $5 for LU students. For tickets or more information, call the box office at (409) 880-2250.
