[NEohioPAL]Fabulous Reviews in PD & BJ for Fully Committed at Actors' Summit

Tue Jan 25 08:08:42 PST 2005

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Actor ages role for a fresh, funny take on 'Committed'=20
Tuesday, January 18, 2005=20
Tony Brown
Plain Dealer Theater Critic=20
Actors love a challenge, especially one that entails them being onstage,=20
alone, for an entire evening. Which helps to explain why we're seeing the se=
cond=20
opening of "Fully Committed" in as many months.=20
The play - by playwright Becky Mode and based on real-life experiences of=20
Cleveland native Mark Setlock, the New York-based actor who first performed=20=
the=20
show off-Broadway - has some 40 characters. A single actor plays them all.=20
Nick Koesters, one of the best youngish comic actors in Cleveland, won good=20
reviews for a November-December production at the Beck Center for the Arts i=
n=20
Lakewood.=20
Now Neil Thackaberry, the actor-director-impresario at Actors' Summit in=20
Hudson, has jumped into the pell-mell, 90-minute marathon. Although he's=20
considerably older than Setlock and Koesters, Thackaberry proves he can stil=
l go the=20
distance, and with style.=20
The central role - that of Sam Peliczowski, like Setlock an aspiring actor=20
who works taking phone reservations at a trendy Manhattan restaurant where=20
reservations are impossible - is a young man's part, both because it require=
s=20
stamina and because it's written that way.=20
Thackaberry proves more than capable, slam-banging through a torrent of=20
characters bent on harassing our poor hero: a French maitre d', an egotistic=
al=20
chef, a pesky Gourmet magazine writer and a whole phalanx of would-be diners=
,=20
ranging from supermodel Naomi Campbell to a clueless tourist.=20
He and director Wayne Turney, who does a superb job keeping Thackaberry and=20
the play between the ditches, alter the script slightly to accommodate the=20
actor's age. After a very short while, it ceases to be an issue. Middle-aged=
=20
aspiring actors work thankless jobs, right?=20
More importantly, Thackaberry and Turney understand the play to be more than=
=20
just lots of laughs deriving from precise, 120 mph changes in character, as=20
Sam works two phones and three intercoms, covers for a missing co-worker,=20
lobbies for a role at Lincoln Center, deals with his recently widowed father=
 and=20
cleans up the ladies' room after a diner has an accident there.=20
The script is laugh-out-loud funny, and Actors' Summit masterfully mines mos=
t=20
if not all the yuks. But in addition to a comic set-piece, Mode and Setlock=20
have constructed a convincing portrait of greed and consumerism,=20
Manhattan-style.=20
It's not enough just to be rich and famous. You have to flaunt it.=20
When Sam tells the tyrannical chef he has messages from Jamie Lee Curtis, hi=
s=20
yoga instructor, his Ferrari dealer and mother, the chef asks, "Oh, what did=
=20
the Ferrari dealer want?"=20
Thackaberry delivers the line with just the right blithe, deadpan expression=
=20
to convey the jaded boorishness intended by the authors.=20
At Actors' Summit, "Fully Committed" is not just funny; it's a full meal.=20
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: tbrown at plaind.com, 216-999-4181 =A9 200=
5=20
The Plain Dealer. Used with permission.
One-man show is `Fully Committed'

Neil Thackaberry brings 40 characters to life in spry comedy about New York=20
restaurant

Kerry Clawson Beacon Journal

Anyone who has had such a hectic day at work that he or she couldn't even=20
squeeze in a bathroom break will be able to relate to the one-man comedy Ful=
ly=20
Committed.
The show, playing at Actors' Summit in Hudson, highlights artistic director=20
Neil Thackaberry's acting versatility as he brings 40 characters to life=20
through changes in his voice alone. He plays out-of-work actor Sam Peliczows=
ki, who=20
runs the reservation line for New York's hottest restaurant and has to deal=20
with some of the most outrageous callers imaginable.
These are manipulative, name-dropping, even threatening folks, vying for a=20
prime spot at a restaurant that's ``fully committed'' (i.e. ``booked'') two=20
months in advance.
The bevy of voices heard over the phone or intercom near Sam's jumbled desk=20
include snarky French host Jean-Claude, a vengeful chef, the obnoxiously=20
scratchy-voiced Mrs. Sebag and the ever-persistent Carolann Rosenstein-Fishb=
urn.=20
Thrown into the mix are likable characters such as sunny Bryce, assistant to=
=20
Naomi Campbell; and serene-sounding restaurant co-worker Stephanie.
With convincing changes in voice, Thackaberry helps us to easily follow who'=
s=20
speaking. When he cocks his head away from the phone, we know that the perso=
n=20
on the other end of the line is talking.
Thackaberry uses accents ranging from those that sound Middle Eastern to=20
uppercrust American. Saturday night, he broke out of character only once, wh=
en he=20
switched too early from the low-pitched, drawling Jerry back into Sam's=20
higher-pitched voice.
No doubt, this play presents a welcome acting challenge, beyond the wild=20
array of characters that Thackaberry plays. He leaves the stage just once du=
ring=20
the 90-minute, intermissionless performance.
These roles call for impeccable memorization, which Thackaberry has down pat=
.=20
The actor has carefully placed aids on the stage, with little notes to=20
himself on Sam's clipboards that hang on the walls as well as on his desk. T=
his fits=20
in seamlessly, since Sam continuously consults his reservation list and take=
s=20
names and messages.
Thackaberry, who is in his 50s, is a bit mature for the role of Sam. One=20
would imagine the actor/reservationist who's trying to get a break onstage t=
o be=20
in his 20s or 30s.
But it takes solid acting experience to pull this show off. With=20
Thackaberry's sure pacing, bit by bit, Sam's workday accelerates into a full=
-blown circus.
There's never a dull moment in this story, as Sam bounces from outside phone=
=20
to in-house phone to intercom in a desperate attempt to control a growing=20
whirlwind of demands from staff and guests.
As the phones ring and the intercom buzzes, perfectly timed sound cues are=20
crucial. Daughter Sasha Thackaberry, on sound, ensures that Sam's juggling h=
as a=20
natural flow.
Adding to this show's humor, the same characters call Sam repeatedly to=20
torment him.
Not only does Sam have some thoroughly unlikable guests to deal with over th=
e=20
phone, added job duties thrown at him range from ridiculous to downright=20
unsavory.
You'll have to see the show to see what they are.
Playwright Becky Mode offers some comedic gems in this story, including a=20
moment where Naomi Campbell's assistant's assistant wants to come change the=
=20
restaurant light bulbs. This bit reminds me of best-selling tell-all tales a=
bout=20
outrageous treatment of hired help in The Nanny Diaries and The Devil Wears=20
Prada, both also set in New York.
Fully Committed has some fun ironies that reverse Sam's disastrous day, just=
=20
as we are beginning to think things have spun way too far out of control.
You're likely to leave this show discussing nasty Mrs. Sebag or lying=20
reservation manager Bob as if they're real people. Interestingly, the name o=
f the=20
restaurant is never mentioned. All that we know is that it has a ``global=20
fusion'' menu, including a disgusting entree served on a bed of wild ramps (=
smelly=20
onions).

Theater critic Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or by e-mail at=20
kclawson at thebeaconjournal.com.=20
=20

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<H1 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #d20=
000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Actor ages role for a fresh, funny take on 'Committ=
ed' <o:p></o:p></SPAN></H1>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><st1:date Month=3D"1" Day=
=3D"18" Year=3D"2005"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">T=
uesday, January 18, 2005</SPAN></st1:date><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8.5pt; F=
ONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SI=
ZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Tony Brown<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SI=
ZE: 8.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Plain Dealer Theater Critic</SPAN></B><SPAN s=
tyle=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Actors love a challeng=
e, especially one that entails them being onstage, alone, for an entire even=
ing. Which helps to explain why we're seeing the second opening of "Fully Co=
mmitted" in as many months. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The play - by playwrig=
ht Becky Mode and based on real-life experiences of </SPAN><st1:City><st1:pl=
ace><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Cleveland</SPAN></st1=
:place></st1:City><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> native=
 Mark Setlock, the New York-based actor who first performed the show off-Bro=
adway - has some 40 characters. A single actor plays them all. <SPAN style=
=3D"DISPLAY: none; mso-hide: all"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE:=
 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Nick Koesters, one of=20=
the best youngish comic actors in </SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN style=
=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Cleveland</SPAN></st1:place></st1:Ci=
ty><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, won good reviews for=
 a November-December production at the </SPAN><st1:place><st1:PlaceName><SPA=
N style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Beck</SPAN></st1:PlaceName><S=
PAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </SPAN><st1:PlaceType><SPA=
N style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Center</SPAN></st1:PlaceType>=
</st1:place><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> for the Arts=
 in </SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY:=20=
Arial">Lakewood</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt;=20=
FONT-FAMILY: Arial">. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Now Neil Thackaberry,=20=
the actor-director-impresario at Actors' </SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN s=
tyle=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Summit</SPAN></st1:place></st1:C=
ity><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> in </SPAN><st1:City>=
<st1:place><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Hudson</SPAN><=
/st1:place></st1:City><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, h=
as jumped into the pell-mell, 90-minute marathon. Although he's considerably=
 older than Setlock and Koesters, Thackaberry proves he can still go the dis=
tance, and with style. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The central role - tha=
t of Sam Peliczowski, like Setlock an aspiring actor who works taking phone=20=
reservations at a trendy Manhattan restaurant where reservations are impossi=
ble - is a young man's part, both because it requires stamina and because it=
's written that way. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Thackaberry proves mor=
e than capable, slam-banging through a torrent of characters bent on harassi=
ng our poor hero: a French maitre d', an egotistical chef, a pesky Gourmet m=
agazine writer and a whole phalanx of would-be diners, ranging from supermod=
el Naomi Campbell to a clueless tourist. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">He and director Wayne=20=
Turney, who does a superb job keeping Thackaberry and the play between the d=
itches, alter the script slightly to accommodate the actor's age. After a ve=
ry short while, it ceases to be an issue. Middle-aged aspiring actors work t=
hankless jobs, right? <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">More importantly, Thac=
kaberry and Turney understand the play to be more than just lots of laughs d=
eriving from precise, 120 mph changes in character, as Sam works two phones=20=
and three intercoms, covers for a missing co-worker, lobbies for a role at L=
incoln Center, deals with his recently widowed father and cleans up the ladi=
es' room after a diner has an accident there. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The script is laugh-ou=
t-loud funny, and Actors' </SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SI=
ZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Summit</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN style=
=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> masterfully mines most if not all t=
he yuks. But in addition to a comic set-piece, Mode and Setlock have constru=
cted a convincing portrait of greed and consumerism, Manhattan-style. <o:p><=
/o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">It's not enough just t=
o be rich and famous. You have to flaunt it. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">When Sam tells the tyr=
annical chef he has messages from Jamie Lee Curtis, his yoga instructor, his=
 Ferrari dealer and mother, the chef asks, "Oh, what did the Ferrari dealer=20=
want?" <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Thackaberry delivers t=
he line with just the right blithe, deadpan expression to convey the jaded b=
oorishness intended by the authors. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">At Actors' </SPAN><st1=
:City><st1:place><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Summit</=
SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Aria=
l">, "Fully Committed" is not just funny; it's a full meal. <o:p></o:p></SPA=
N></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">To reach this Plain De=
aler reporter: </SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><A=20=
href=3D"mailto:tbrown at plaind.com">tbrown at plaind.com</A>, 216-999-4181 </SPAN=
><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">=A9 2005 The Plain Deale=
r. Used with permission.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><o:p><FONT face=3D"Times New R=
oman" size=3D3>
<H1 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 3.75pt"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMIL=
Y: Arial"><FONT size=3D4>One-man show is `Fully Committed'<o:p></o:p></FONT>=
</SPAN></H1>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE:=
 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D4><IMG SRC=3D"cid:X.MA1=
.1106669321 at aol.com"  height=3D5 width=3D1 v:shapes=3D"_x0000_i1026" ID=3D"M=
A1.1106669321" DATASIZE=3D"73"><BR></FONT></SPAN><FONT color=3D#666666><SPAN=
 class=3Ddeck1><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Neil Th=
ackaberry brings 40 characters to life in spry comedy about </SPAN></B></SPA=
N><st1:State><st1:place><SPAN class=3Ddeck1><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt=
; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">New York</SPAN></B></SPAN></st1:place></st1:State><SPA=
N class=3Ddeck1><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> resta=
urant</SPAN></B></SPAN></FONT><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; F=
ONT-FAMILY: Arial"><BR><FONT color=3D#666666><IMG SRC=3D"cid:X.MA2.110666932=
1 at aol.com"  height=3D10 width=3D1 v:shapes=3D"_x0000_i1027" ID=3D"MA2.110666=
9321" DATASIZE=3D"73"><BR></FONT></SPAN><FONT color=3D#666666><SPAN class=
=3Dbyline1><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 7pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Kerry </SPA=
N></B></SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN class=3Dbyline1><B><SPAN style=3D"FO=
NT-SIZE: 7pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Clawson</SPAN></B></SPAN></st1:place></st1=
:City><SPAN class=3Dbyline1><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 7pt; FONT-FAMILY: A=
rial"> </SPAN></B></SPAN><SPAN class=3Dcreditline1><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SI=
ZE: 7pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Beacon Journal</SPAN></B></SPAN></FONT><SPAN st=
yle=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><BR><FONT color=3D#=
666666><IMG SRC=3D"cid:X.MA3.1106669321 at aol.com"  height=3D1 width=3D1 v:sha=
pes=3D"_x0000_i1028" ID=3D"MA3.1106669321" DATASIZE=3D"129"><o:p></o:p></FON=
T></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Anyone w=
ho has had such a hectic day at work that he or she couldn't even squeeze in=
 a bathroom break will be able to relate to the one-man comedy Fully Committ=
ed.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The show=
, playing at Actors' </SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9=
pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Summit</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><S=
PAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> in </SPAN><s=
t1:City><st1:place><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY:=
 Arial">Hudson</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; C=
OLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, highlights artistic director Neil Thackab=
erry's acting versatility as he brings 40 characters to life through changes=
 in his voice alone. He plays out-of-work actor Sam Peliczowski, who runs th=
e reservation line for </SPAN><st1:State><st1:place><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE=
: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">New York</SPAN></st1:place></st1:St=
ate><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">'s hott=
est restaurant and has to deal with some of the most outrageous callers imag=
inable.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">These ar=
e manipulative, name-dropping, even threatening folks, vying for a prime spo=
t at a restaurant that's ``fully committed'' (i.e. ``booked'') two months in=
 advance.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The bevy=
 of voices heard over the phone or intercom near Sam's jumbled desk include=20=
snarky French host Jean-Claude, a vengeful chef, the obnoxiously scratchy-vo=
iced Mrs. Sebag and the ever-persistent Carolann Rosenstein-Fishburn. Thrown=
 into the mix are likable characters such as sunny Bryce, assistant to Naomi=
 Campbell; and serene-sounding restaurant co-worker Stephanie.<o:p></o:p></S=
PAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">With con=
vincing changes in voice, Thackaberry helps us to easily follow who's speaki=
ng. When he cocks his head away from the phone, we know that the person on t=
he other end of the line is talking.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Thackabe=
rry uses accents ranging from those that sound Middle Eastern to uppercrust=20=
American. Saturday night, he broke out of character only once, when he switc=
hed too early from the low-pitched, drawling Jerry back into Sam's higher-pi=
tched voice.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">No doubt=
, this play presents a welcome acting challenge, beyond the wild array of ch=
aracters that Thackaberry plays. He leaves the stage just once during the 90=
-minute, intermissionless performance.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">These ro=
les call for impeccable memorization, which Thackaberry has down pat. The ac=
tor has carefully placed aids on the stage, with little notes to himself on=20=
Sam's clipboards that hang on the walls as well as on his desk. This fits in=
 seamlessly, since Sam continuously consults his reservation list and takes=20=
names and messages.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Thackabe=
rry, who is in his 50s, is a bit mature for the role of Sam. One would imagi=
ne the actor/reservationist who's trying to get a break onstage to be in his=
 20s or 30s.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">But it t=
akes solid acting experience to pull this show off. With Thackaberry's sure=20=
pacing, bit by bit, Sam's workday accelerates into a full-blown circus.<o:p>=
</o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">There's=20=
never a dull moment in this story, as Sam bounces from outside phone to in-h=
ouse phone to intercom in a desperate attempt to control a growing whirlwind=
 of demands from staff and guests.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">As the p=
hones ring and the intercom buzzes, perfectly timed sound cues are crucial.=20=
Daughter Sasha Thackaberry, on sound, ensures that Sam's juggling has a natu=
ral flow.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Adding t=
o this show's humor, the same characters call Sam repeatedly to torment him.=
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Not only=
 does Sam have some thoroughly unlikable guests to deal with over the phone,=
 added job duties thrown at him range from ridiculous to downright unsavory.=
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">You'll h=
ave to see the show to see what they are.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Playwrig=
ht Becky Mode offers some comedic gems in this story, including a moment whe=
re Naomi Campbell's assistant's assistant wants to come change the restauran=
t light bulbs. This bit reminds me of best-selling tell-all tales about outr=
ageous treatment of hired help in The Nanny Diaries and The Devil Wears Prad=
a, both also set in </SPAN><st1:State><st1:place><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9=
pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">New York</SPAN></st1:place></st1:State=
><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">.<o:p></o:=
p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Fully Co=
mmitted has some fun ironies that reverse Sam's disastrous day, just as we a=
re beginning to think things have spun way too far out of control.<o:p></o:p=
></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">You're l=
ikely to leave this show discussing nasty Mrs. Sebag or lying reservation ma=
nager Bob as if they're real people. Interestingly, the name of the restaura=
nt is never mentioned. All that we know is that it has a ``global fusion'' m=
enu, including a disgusting entree served on a bed of wild ramps (smelly oni=
ons).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" ali=
gn=3Dcenter><I><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Ari=
al">
<HR align=3Dcenter width=3D"100%" color=3D#cccccc noShade SIZE=3D1>
</SPAN></I></DIV>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT=
-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><EM>Theater critic Kerry Claws=
on may be reached at 330-996-3527 or by e-mail at </EM><A href=3D"mailto:kcl=
awson at thebeaconjournal.com"><FONT color=3D#0027b4><EM>kclawson at thebeaconjour=
nal.com</EM></FONT></A><EM>.</EM></SPAN><EM> <o:p></o:p></EM></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </FONT></o:p></P></=
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