Hobnob cast delights with trio of vignettes

By Connie Pilston Shoemaker Eagle correspondent

April 04, 2015 Last Updated: April 04, 2015 11:20 AM Local News

The Hobnob Theatre Co.'s “Tonight at 8:30” opened Thursday night with “Still Life,” the first of the three plays or vignettes in the production.

It was a blend of cheeky comedy combined with an emotional spin. A budding romance runs its course as matters of life and death unfold in a train station cafe.

Kevin Lukacs and Sarah McAllister are well paired as the young would-be lovers. Their connection was darling.

Elizabeth Smith and Greg Crawford had delightful chemistry as their relationship unfolds. Their transition from acquaintance to the familiarity of an established invested relationship was credible and well played.

The main focus was on the emotional roller coaster of a romance between Heidi Nicholls and Tom Smithyman as they forayed into a relationship after a chance meeting.

Their excitement, angst and emotional depth was compelling and at times moving. Their final scene was well done and gripping.

“Family Album” was the second feature after a 10-minute set change, and once again Nicholls showed her flair for the dramatics and delivery during her family's gathering after the death of their father.

Extremely well-written, this piece intersperses light banter with heavy doses of grief and emotion. As the family shares libations, the true colors of each and the deceased are revealed.

Karen Justi shared her comedic chops in this role of a thirsty in-law with compassion and empathy but also some spirit and sass.

Austin Uram was all too willing to keep the glasses filled and share his bits of wit when asked.

Crawford got his snootiness on as he portrayed the older sibling and heir to the home.

Phillip Ball was comical as he tried to reel in his thirsty wife, played by Smith, who was hysterical as the grapes led her down a path of marital rebellion. Smithyman returned in this piece as a hard-of -hearing butler with a secret.

The final act was a frantic romp. “Hands Across the Sea” featured Nicholls and a glimpse into the hectic life of a socialite. An enjoyable role to be sure, which she played to the hilt.

Though sparse of lines, Lukacs shined in his role of an errand boy trapped in the chaos of the afternoon. His facial expressions and physical comedy were spot on.

Nicholls was paired up again with Smithyman as her exasperated Navy husband with Ball as his sidekick. Ball's delivery in this was shockingly funny and unexpected.

Justi and Crawford were the victims of a case of mistaken identity that unraveled in a unique way. My only hint, it had something to do with a harp.

Smith expertly played a larger-than-life caustic society dame. The phone is one of the most prominent actors in this fast-paced showcase, which was obviously written without cell phones in mind.

The actors each played multiple roles with wonderful supporting cameos by Holly Furman. The sets were focused on the furniture of the time period and were shiny and lush.

The intimate venue at The Art Center and the intimate nature of the production were a wonderful pairing.

Having only experienced Noël Coward's “Blithe Spirit,” which is very wordy, and in my opinion dull, I approached this evening with some trepidation, needlessly.

The shorts were well- written, carefully cast and deliciously directed by Casey Bowser. It was a fun evening of theater with some seriously good accents.