Actors’ Summit’s ‘Chapatti’ Excellent *West Side Leader **By David Ritchey* Dogs and cats usually aren't the subject of stage plays. However, “Chapatti,” which is being performed by Actors’ Summit Theater through March 13, is different. Chapatti is the name of a dog. The cast of this 90-minute one-act play brings one dog and about 16 cats to life on the Actors’ Summit’s stage at Greystone Hall. “Chapatti” deals with two lonely people, Dan (Neil Thackaberry) and Betty (Anne McEvoy). Their pets, like glue, seem to hold their fragile lives together — Dan has Chapatti and Anne has about 16 cats. Dan realizes he needs more than his dog to make his life complete. Unfortunately, he sees no opportunity to live a fulfilling life. He plans to give Chapatti away and kill himself. Anne can’t take the dog; she has too many cats to care for. As Dan and Anne deal with their pets they discover each other. “Chapatti” isn’t a silly romance. Playwright Christian O’Reilly lives in Ireland and writes about his countrymen. “Chapatti” is a fine script, which is set in Dublin. This script works on several levels and the audience should make an effort to enjoy this production on its various levels. Often the characters speak directly to the audience and then move back to their stage persona — talking to their pets, talking to themselves, and in jewel-like moments, speaking to each other. Forget the pets for a few moments. McEvoy and Thackaberry are marvelous performers and they’re at the top of their skills in this production. The quality production is due to the playwright’s fine script and Brian Zoldessy’s strong direction. Zoldessy helped his performers strip away artifice and to honestly and directly reveal their characters’ soul-searing loneliness. Of course, we’re honored with two excellent performers. The bare bones set (two chairs and two small tables) reflect the bareness of Dan’s and Anne’s lives. The set design and construction by Perry Catalano and Fred Sellers is perfect for this script and Greystone Hall. This production of “Chapatti” is excellent. I enjoyed watching the story unfold in the hands of two actors who made every line meaningful. This production should not be missed. It is good to see Thackaberry come out of retirement and take the stage again.