Review: Desert Ensemble Theatre Presents an Expertly Acted World Premiere Play, Tony Padilla's LOVESPORT

Desert Ensemble Theatre Company (DETC) is presenting LOVESPORT, a world premiere play by Tony Padilla, DETC's founder and producing artistic director. He produced and directed LOVESPORT as well as writing the script. I recommend the show because the acting is excellent, and the script exhibits dramatic tension and unexpected developments, especially in the second act. My only complaint is that the first act drags in spots, and could use some pruning and accelerated pacing.

The play's title refers to the unfortunate tendency of the parties to a relationship to play games at each other's expense. The story begins much like WHO's AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF; long-time cohabitants Marty (Alan Berry) and Josh (Jerome Elliott) are sparring semi-viciously after a dinner party, while they wait for another couple, Gary (Cameron Shingler) and Ben (J. Gazpar Ascencio), to arrive for a drink. Gary tells everyone how he wants to quit work and adopt a baby now that he and Ben have been married for two years, and Ben admits that he does not want to become a father. Marty and Gary bond over glasses of wine, while Josh and Ben go off to smoke marijuana. The last five minutes of Act I contain a shocking revelation, but it is not the one I was expecting. In Act II, the dramatic tension skyrockets as both couples talk about the problems in their relationships. Once again, I thought I knew where things were headed, and once again, I was wrong. Despite the serious nature of the on-stage occurrences, LOVESPORT is not wholly grim - there are numerous opportunities for laughs, especially in the first act.

Mr. Padilla's script successfully captures the complexities of communication between partners. Although these couples happen to each consist of two men, there is very little in the play that could not also apply to mixed-sex couples. Mr. Berry and Mr. Elliott are completely believable as partners even during their arguments - their affection for each other is palpable, and even their heights and coloring are similar. (Disclosure: Mr. Berry and I worked together in the ensemble of a recent musical production). Ben and Gary, however, seem to be missing the glue necessary to hold them together in a marriage. Ben, who is significantly older than Gary and successful in business, feels that it is time to travel and enjoy life, but Gary, who is just beginning his adulthood, wants a family and a career in politics. Ben and Gary love each other, but, so far, they have not succeeded in becoming a united entity. Mr. Ascencio and Mr. Shingler telegraph this problem with their facial expressions and body language.

The uncredited scenic designer deserves kudos for the lovely, eclectic living room set that perfectly fits the likely tastes of two sophisticated, moneyed suburbanites. The furniture is mostly modern, although a folding screen and a traditional painting dominate the room. Sculptures and a vase fill in empty spaces. I would enjoy living in these quarters, except for the fu dog, which I find creepy. Perhaps the fu dog is a metaphor for relationships between partners - when a crisis occurs, the relationship turns into a nightmarish experience that barely resembles the original, much as Snoopy might turn into a fu dog.

The production crew consists of Cecilia Orosco (stage manager); Maiya Orosco and Nick Wass (property managers); Garo Mazmanian (sound technician); and Sierra Johnson (lighting technician).

Performances take place at the Pearl McManus Theatre, in the Palm Springs Woman's Club, 314 S. Cahuilla Road, (two blocks south of Palm Canyon Blvd.), in Palm Springs, California.

LOVESPORT will run through March 26, 2017, on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., and on Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 each ($21.69 including service fee), plus tax. Call 760-565-2476 for tickets or more information, or consult the web site, www.detctheatre.org.

PHOTO CREDIT: Tony Padilla

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