Review: DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY Brings Back Hysterical Memories of 1950s TV Families

The idealistic suburban family as depicted in 1950s television series always centered on a father who worked, came home in a business suit, put on a sweater and settled in for dinner with his family. The wife was always in a shirtwaist dress, the type of garment that was only for in-home wear, often seen either cooking, cleaning and especially dusting up a storm. The kids were impeccably dressed in the latest styles, but of course never mentioned their burgeoning sex drives. And only the bad guys wore jeans.

The West Coast premiere of DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY by Rich Orloff is currently playing to uproariously laughing audiences at Little Fish Theatre in San Pedro, directed with a clear vision by Holly Baker-Kreiswirth in which much homage is paid to classic gangster movies. Directing in the most over-the-top slapstick style makes sense for this imaginary tale in which even convicts are cardboard cut-outs compared to those who might break into your home these days.

At the beginning we meet the Millers, a nice family who live in a nice home (in a nice suburb during the nice 1950s. Family matriarch Ethel (Shirley Hatton) would like everyone to think her life goals involves cleaning and making sure her home is neat and the rules are followed. I could not agree more when her home is described as a two-story cardigan sweater, old-fashioned patterned and orderly. Patriarch Herbert (Don Schlossman) works although we never really know what he does, and slut-in-training daughter Cindy (Olivia Schlueter-Corey) cannot understand why boys are just not interested in her.

On a day like any other day, their lives of the Miller family are turned upside down when three escaped convicts with bad manners show up looking for a place to hide, much to the chagrin of perfect homemaker Ethel Miller who is more concerned about the mess to clean up and house rules not being followed than her safety. Ethel is adamant that her house rules be followed, and I would hate to think anyone would dare not to follow her lead given Hatton's ability to let us laugh with her at frustrating life.

The leader of the 3 convicts is Lou Calendo (Bill Wolski) who thoroughly embodies an East Coast tough guy who quotes death scenes from many gangster famous movies as being exactly what he wants to achieve in his life. His goal to be like James Cagney is thwarted by his good-looking younger brother Tony (Ryan Knight) whose handsome physique immediately attracts the virginally Cindy who longs to "be a woman" by the time she turns 18 in two days. The electricity sizzles between these two, but like all 50s sitcoms, it's a slow burn waiting to explode.

Rounding out the convict trio is Daniel Tennant as the mute, food-loving, black-eyed Spot, who acts more like a dog than any human, especially during meal time. Tennant is a joy to watch as his many rubber-faced expressions say more about his character and attitude than any words could possibly do. Be sure to watch this talented mimic every moment he is onstage. Pull focus? You bet! And you will love every second of it.

The convicts are waiting for Lou's girlfriend to rescue them, but unfortunately she bought an Edsel which is in the shop. When their stay lasts longer than Lou expected, reluctant hero Herbert Miller must decide how to get rid of the unwanted guests and reclaim his household once and for all. Will he decide to use the fireplace tools to deliver a good whack to the head? Or will the three "visitors" do their best to get along with the too-good-to-be-true Miller Family as they attempt to get out of their situation without being captured? And even when they are forced to give themselves up to the police, each manages to do it with panache - and several marriage proposals if the women will wait 20 years for them!

There are several vaudeville type routines as characters share memories from their lives, often involving cross dressing or priests with young boys, with apologies given later in case any audience members may have been offended. So politically correct and hysterically funny! And be sure to notice how cast members change the set and hand props in character between scenes, making even the set changes part of the show.

Each of the six actors are perfectly cast and seem to be inspiring each other to take their characters even farther into the ridiculous as the plot evolves. While each seems frustrated with their own lives and wishing for something else, of course you know all will work out for the best in the end. How could it be any other way in the 1950s?

"I am thrilled to be directing the West Coast premiere of Domestic Tranquility and can't wait to share this hilarious comedy with our audiences," states director Holly Baker-Kreiswirth. "It's a wild romp of a play that combines the nostalgia of the 1950s with the craziness of a farce." That is does! So be prepared to laugh out loud and forget troubles for a couple of hours.

DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY runs Fridays and Saturdays March 4 through April 2 at 8pm at Little Fish Theatre, 777 S. Centre St. in San Pedro, CA. Tickets are $27 or $25 for seniors. For tickets, call the box office at (310) 512-6030 or visit www.littlefishtheatre.org.

Photos by Mickey Elliot.

Daniel Tennant, Bill Wolski, and Ryan Knight find the perfect hideout in the perfect 1950s home of the perfect Miller Family

Ryan Knight, Daniel Tennant, Bill Wolski, Don Schlossman, Olivia Schlueter-Corey and Shirley Hatton attempt a polite family dinner, escaped convict-style.

Ryan Knight and Olivia Schlueter-Corey find that bad boys and good girls are a perfect match.

Shirley Hatton and Don Schlossman try to forget about the escaped convicts in their perfect home.

Bill Wolski, Don Schlossman, Ryan Knight, and Daniel Tennant discuss the headline news of the prison escape.

Bill Wolski and Olivia Schlueter-Corey go toe-to-toe in a hilarious fight for the Miller Family home.

Shirley Hatton, Don Schlossman, and Bill Wolski make a comical family unit while singing happy birthday.

Don Schlossman attempts to convince convict Bill Wolski to leave the Miller Family home