[NEohioPAL] Berko review: MISS ABIGAIL'S GUIDE TO DATING, MATING, & MARRIAGE @ 14th Street Playhouse

[Roy Berko]

*Miss Abigail’s feeble attempt to give advice now on stage at 14th Street
Theatre*



Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)



The 14th Street Theatre, nestled between such big venue spots as the Hanna
Theatre and the major venues on Euclid Avenue, has a unique place in
Cleveland theatrical presentations.  It’s where the “little” acts go to
play.  We’ve had a nun teaching us the catechism, a cross-dresser talking
us into buying Tupperware, and now an “expert” spewing out facts from books
about dating, mating and marriage while being stalked by her on-stage
Hispanic assistant.



The scripted/adlibbed presentation is dependent upon a dynamic and quirky
presence as Miss Abigail, and a fun and sexy male assistant named
Paco.   Laurie
Birmingham, who plays Abby, appears to be a nice woman, but isn’t a
forceful presence.  She doesn’t have the adlibbing ability to compensate
for the poorly written script.  Gabriel Gutierrez is quite charming, but
lacks naturalness and the stud factor.  Their interactions lack meaningful
spontaneity.  It’s almost like they are reading from prompt cards, and not
doing that well.



Based on the ideas of real-life advice columnist and blogger, Abigail
Grotke, the concept is to get the audience to enjoy themselves and share
their views, participate from their seats and on stage, and hear many
theories about dating, mating and marriage.  They were also asked to fill
out cards which were to be used to flesh out the script.  Only a couple
were used, and those seemed like planted questions.



Having an audience that is sloshed, willing to be played with, and can be
excited by mildly sexual innuendoes, helps.  Unfortunately the small
opening night crowd, many of whom were woman out for a night on the town,
weren’t quite drunk and raucous enough to help much.



There were “prizes” for participation including a stick of gum and cards
with “Miss Abigail’s 10 Commandments for Couples,” “Miss Abigail’s ask the
looking glass!,” and The Miss Abigail Dldow.”  These are inscribed with
such sage wisdom as:  “Men, always greet her with a kiss, especially when
other people are present,” “Is my hair brushed?,” “Order some Chinese
food,” and “When in doubt get counseling.”



The set, which arrived so late that the original opening night performance
had to be cancelled, consisted of some old couches, a poorly painted cloth
backdrop, and a ton of books, from which Miss Abigail read the quotes of
experts.  This is a low cost tour, with seemingly low level expectations.  One
can only wonder what the producers were thinking when they decided to send
it on the road.



*CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:**  The show’s websites list “reviews” from viewers as
they exited the show. One person wrote what turns out to be my view of the
show:  “The idea was good but script was so bad that I couldn't really
laugh even though I wanted to.”*



Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating & MarriagE runs through February 12
at the 14th Street Theatre, PlayhouseSquare.  For tickets call 216-241-6000
or going www.playhousesquare.org.


 Roy Berko's commentaries and reviews appear on coolcleveland.com,
neohiopal.com,artsamerica.com,

broadwaynews.com, and The Times Newspapers.  His blog is: www.royberko.info
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