'Two Single People' might be his best yet

By DAMIEN JAQUES
Journal Sentinel theater critic

Posted: Oct. 11, 2007

Sam Bobrick has been good for Broadway Baby. Under its previous ownership, the dinner theater successfully mounted four plays he wrote alone or with a partner - "Remember Me?" "Wally's Café," "Murder at the Howard Johnson's" and "Norman, Is That You?"

Now the company is opening its 2007-'08 season with a world premiere Bobrick comedy, and it is the best of the bunch.

"Two Single People" follows the tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship of a man and a woman who meet when seated together at a dinner party. Shanette is a tenacious motor mouth with a high wire act of an emotional life. Jack is a taciturn fellow who spends most of the play attempting to flee her.

Shanette may clearly be toxic for any man desiring peace and stability, but she is cleverly manipulative. As desperate as Jack is to avoid her craziness, he is betrayed by the Achilles heel that has afflicted males since Adam. How do you say no to a warm and sexy female who literally throws herself at you?

"Two Single People" has a quicker wit and sharper edge than the other Bobrick works in Broadway Baby's past. It is grounded in a difficult dilemma faced by people every day: Do you stay in or leave a relationship that pays exciting rewards but exacts a demanding price?

The play rises or falls on the performance of the actress who portrays Shanette, and Broadway Baby veteran Lori Minneti carries the show with fluid ease. Typecast as the sweet bimbo her entire stage career, Minneti breaks out of the box here, proving she is capable of being a much more interesting and loquacious protagonist. We hang on her every word and ploy.

Nathan Press is an effective foil, bringing credibility to his everyman role of the hapless seductee.

Longtime Broadway Baby actor Jim Iaquinta directed the production. The show's spare scenery needs upgrading to match the quality of the performances. Its terrific pop-rock soundtrack provides energy and nicely sets the proper tone.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, September 6, 2007: Broadway baby Dinner Theatre is proud to announce the WORLD PREMIERE of TWO SINGLE PEOPLE! The hilarious new comedy by renowned playwright Sam Bobrick, opens Friday September 28, 2007 for a seven-week run.

The new owner of the Broadway Baby Dinner Theatre, Jocelyn Beckham, has extended a personal invitation to Mr. Bobrick sot attend the WORLS PERIERE of TWO SINGLE PEOPLE on opening weekend.

Bobrick has penned such hit comedies as NORMAN, IS THAT YOU?, MURDER AT THE HOWARD JOHNSON’S, and WALLY’S Café, all of which are familiar to Broadway baby fans. TWO SINGLE PEOPLE showcases Bobrick’s talent for revealing the humor within the characters and their relationships; as a pair of modern star-crossed lovers try to connect while weighed down with emotional baggage.

It’s been said that everything in life is timing and timing couldn’t be worse for Jack and Shanette’s first introduction. Both are rebounding from failed relationships and can’t help stepping on each other’s emotional toes despite their mutual attraction and well-meaning friends.

You’ll laugh until you cry as you follow the pair through five wild scenes of both arranged and opportune meetings. Their potential romance is waylaid by a jealous ex, a bus accident, a not-so-random act of violence, and a police raid! Now living at opposite ends of the earth, will the timing ever be right for Jack and Shanette?

Longtime Wisconsin actor and director, Jim Iaquinta, handles the reins on the talented cast of Lori Minetti and Nate Press. Together they bring Jack and Shanette to life with comic confidence and great personal charisma.

Minetti is currently the host of New Urban Living. Saturday mornings on CBS and had been seen is dozens of productions at Broadway Baby and across the Midwest. Press has been active on Milwaukee theater stages for the past 5 years.

Broadway Baby Dinner Theatre, Milwaukee’s longest running dinner theatre, is located at 5132 West Mill Road. Join them for dinner and WORLD PREMIERE of TWO SINGLE PEOPLE on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings, or Sunday afternoons September 28^th through November 18^th. Call (414) 358-2020 for  reservations and season tickets.

TWO SINGLE PEOPLE runs Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm, and Sunday afternoons at 4:00pm September 28^th thru November 18^th. Dinner is served two (2) hours prior to the show. Call (414) 358-2020 for reservations. This is a perfect idea for holiday parties. Group rates, gift certificates, season tickets, and senior discounts are available.