by Bev Crichfield
Mason Eger (from left), Nathan Hamer and Stephanie Brisky are three monkeys trying to type “Hamlet” in the Skagit Valley College Drama Department’s upcoming production of David Ives’ “All in the Timing,” a series of six short plays.
MOUNT VERNON — Three chimpanzees sit in a laboratory, serious expressions on their faces, trying to tap out “Hamlet” on a typewriter.
A sly, young man tries to seduce women over three stages of his life, using miniature golf as a parable for his efforts.
A man and a woman meet at a party and struggle through awkward conversation, with an invisible commentator in the background correcting them when their conversation goes bad.
It’s David Ives at his best, and Skagit Valley College’s Drama Department is bringing his “All in the Timing,” a series of six plays, to the college’s newly renovated Phillip Tarro Theatre on May 27-31.
“Ives loves to play with ideas and forms, and his plays are really smart and funny,” said Andy Friedlander, drama department director and co-director of the production.
Each play involves plenty of subtext — for instance, using miniature golf to represent seduction and sex; monkeys struggling to write “Hamlet” as an examination of the creative process — and witty use of language and dialogue, Friedlander said.
During a recent rehearsal, the 11-member cast struggled to find just the right timing — as the title of the series suggests — to create the “bigness” that Ives strives for in his plays.
“It’s all very abstract and Ives definitely goes for the big joke when he can,” said Paul Zickler, who is directing some of the plays. “Getting everybody to play everything big is crucial to the audience getting it.”
While it’s been a challenge, some cast members say they’ve enjoyed the opportunity to flex their acting muscles by switching among several characters during one play.
“For me, it’s a lot of physical activity,” said Mason Eger of Mount Vernon, who plays the monkey Swift in the play “Words, Words, Words.” “You can really go over the top playing a monkey.”
“Over the top” for Eger means hunching over and scampering across the floor on all fours, screeching as he goes.
Some cast members said portraying different characters in such a short time span is especially challenging; others said they enjoy portraying a single character to its fullest — an opportunity they don’t necessarily have in a longer play.
“You can really go through your character development in a condensed version of the play,” said Nicole Lambert of Sedro-Woolley.
“All in the Timing” was written between 1987 and 1993. The shortness of the plays and minimal stage requirements make them especially popular among students.
The production gives the college the chance to show off its nearly $850,000 renovation of the Phillip Tarro Theatre.
The lobby has been expanded, with a new ticket booth, ceiling, lighting and a designated space for concessions. The auditorium includes new seating and flooring, and the stage features a new floor and new curtains.
The project also includes a new sprinkler system.
All-in-all, it’s become a more comfortable and welcoming theater space, Friedlander said.
Beverly Crichfield can be reached at 360-416-2135 or .
