[NEohioPAL] Jake's Dilemma review West SIde Leader, Akron

[Marie Dusini]

Western Reserve Playhouse offering new script
9/20/2012 - West Side Leader

By David Ritchey
 
From left, Brian Westerley, Joey Vartorella and David Hinebaugh star in Western 
Reserve Playhouse’s “Jake’s Dilemma.” 

Photo courtesy of Western Reserve Playhouse 
BATH — On a night when the heavens seem filled with stars, have you noticed 
those stars that seem to sweep across the sky? Maybe one particular star seems 
to flash with red, green and blue lights. Could this be a space ship on its way 
to Earth? Maybe this is a space bus filled with alien tourists who want to visit 
the Grand Canyon. Or have space aliens arrived on Earth and are living among us 
— maybe next door to you?
Those are the questions asked in Western Reserve Playhouse’s production of 
“Jake’s Dilemma,” a new play by Gregory Lavelle that is on stage through Sept. 
29. This is an interesting and intriguing play.
Jake (Brian Westerley) owns and manages Jake’s Diner in the middle of nowhere — 
some place in Arizona. Alice (Sally Spitz) is the waitress in the diner and 
she’s Jake’s confidant.
Jake’s Diner is miles from any other store, diner or service station. 
Consequently, tourists driving by stop for a cheeseburger and a cola and maybe a 
piece of pie.
Several people make their way into the diner: Lil from Dallas (Jan Futhey), Ben 
from Chicago (Irv Korman), Elmer from Cleveland (David Hinebaugh) and others.
Finally, Joe (Jay Hill) and Mary (Beth Lee), tourists from Albany, N.Y., stop 
because of car problems. Jake is sure they are lying about being from New York, 
and he accuses them of being aliens. Joe does all he can to protect his wife and 
himself from Jake and his dangerous-looking pistol.
Hill, Lee and Westerley become a triumphant trio as they get every laugh Lavelle 
could have written into the script.
Director Deb Sweat kept the performance moving at a rapid pace. In truth, the 
members of the audience can’t be given much time to think about the nonsense 
that’s going on before them. Sweat helped the performers define themselves. Each 
is unique and interesting.
Westerley makes Jake paranoid enough for the audience to be skeptical of his 
every word. Yet, his Jake is vulnerable and sympathetic enough that I found 
myself cheering for him.
Westerley carries most of the show on his shoulders, and he does an excellent 
job with the physical comedy.
This is only the second production of “Jake’s Dilemma.” The playwright played 
Jake in the first production. So, this is the first production he has seen. As 
the script stands now, 16 characters are on stage at some point. Yes, some of 
the characters only speak a few lines. Lavelle would have a more successful 
script if he could cut some of the minor characters. I’m not sure we need to see 
all of the minor characters to know people visit Jake’s Diner as they drive 
across Arizona. Second, the scenes between Jake, Joe and May last too long and 
don’t move the story along as quickly as they should. Lavelle could cut 15 
minutes from the script and produce a tight, bright script that could become an 
audience favorite in community theaters.
I recommend that Lavelle get to work on a second play. He obviously has talent 
as a playwright and should get on to the next script.
I also recommend theater-goers attend a performance of “Jake’s Dilemma.” You’ll 
find a pleasure in seeing a new script brought to life before you.
For ticket information, call 330-620-7314.
David Ritchey has a Ph.D. in communications and is a professor of communications 
at The University of Akron. He is a member of the American Theatre Critics 
Association.