The CI ac I íamas P rínt
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J
_ _______ 8_
A&E
WedNEsdAy, NovENibeR 28, 2001
CoMMUNÍCATÍNCj DOORS OpENS M
S
’Communicating Doors' delivers laughs
SALENADELA CRUZ
Opinion Editor
David Smith-English directs the
highly humorous play, “Communi
cating Doors,” with a cast and crew
that bring the characters to life and
add to the hilarity of the o veral 1 pre
sentation of the play.
Wendy Reese as Poopay mixes
a ditzy persona with an unlikely
heroine. The swaggered walk with
breasts pushed out and stagger
ing little steps mixed with the high-
pitched obnoxious voice makes
laughter and comedy ensue. Her
character as a dominatrix or, as she
is called in the play, a “Specialist
Sexual Consultant,” is a demand-
ingly aggressive part, but clings to
submissiveness as the character’s
real persona is revealed. Not ev
eryone can admire or even under
stand this part, but I find her part
something many could enjoy un
less a true conservative.
Reece, played by Jason Morrill,
was heartfelt and memorable in the
way he was able to flip from one
age to another between scenes. I
admire his dedication and efforts
to be the old feeble Reece versus
the young newlywed. A well acted
part that reminded me how great
the art of acting is.
Dawnie Drebin played a very
commanding Ruella in her role as
the second deceased wife of Reece.
She is able to cast a very well-or
ganized English persona with ac
cent and leadership to her role.
Even in her not so levelheaded
moments, she is able to keep a calm
about her that inherits laughter.
Her command will light up audi
ences in many more roles.
Jayson Shanafelt mystifies au
diences once again as Julian, the
creepy business partner who is the
center of all the other characters’
worries. His aura of command and
slick sinister ways gives an edge
of nervousness that could sweep
the audience. I know he will con
tinue to raise the roof for audiences
with his mastery.
Reece’s ditzy first wife Jessica
was handled with just the right
amount of blonde and character to
overwhelm her part, going from the
newlywed to a new action one
could never expect. I only hope
Jayne Stevens will not be type- cast
in similar parts in the future because
I believe her talent exceeds the air
head persona her character por
trays. However, Stevens is able to
pull it off fabulously.
Ben Walker as Harold, the house
detective, handled the small part
with a character all his own. The
air surrounding him was one of sim
plicity, but he was able to handle it
with a great comic relief. I see great
things coming for Walker.
The comforter scene is the great
est. The audience was in an up
heaval of laughter.
“Communicating Doors” will
continue to run Nov. 29-Dec. 2. I
hope you come to check it out and
laugh till you cry. I did.
Poopay lounges as the "Specialist
Sexual Consultant" and is on a
mission to market her wares.
►
Scared and
running for her
life, Poopay
locks herself in
the bathroom.
She finds
herself face to
face with the
man who
wishes to seal
her fate.
The house
detective,
Harold (Ben
Walker), tries
to detain the
distraught
Poopay, who
finds herself
20 years
before her
◄
▲
Poopay examines the confession
that was written by Reece to try to
determine if the illegible
scrawlings are true or from the
imagination of a dying old man.
Audiences delve into the psyche
of Poopay and the center of the
world she wishes to be a part of.
J
Javson
Jayson
Shanafelt
Shanafelt
as as
Julian
Julian
tries to force Poopay (Wendy
Reese) into downing some
pills to meet her demise.
Reece falls to the
ground in his last
desperate plea to
Poopay to witness his
confession.
A
PHOTOS BY MAGGIE JIRASEK/ Clackamas Print
Reece (Jason Morrill)
pleads with Poopay to
sign his confession.