'Chapter Two' actors give enlightened performances

Conway Community Arts Association's production of "Chapter Two" by Neil Simon concludes this weekend, with performances set for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Conway Senior Citizen Center, 1620 N. Donaghey Ave.

Tickets are $10 each with reservations or $12 at the door; reservations are recommended. Advance tickets may be purchased by calling 733-6220.

The senior citizen center provides a makeshift theater for the local actors as they continue to struggle to find a place of their own. The space has been adapted well to suit the actors' needs, albeit the trains that travel through town regularly seem to be a little louder at this location. And the chairs CCAA brought in to the building are rather uncomfortable for those in the audience, especially given the fact that "Chapter Two" runs almost three hours long, which in this reviewer's humble opinion is a tad too long for community theater. One other complaint from the peanut gallery: the actors' voices often did not carry to the back of the room. Maybe that will have been remedied by this weekend, as director Kevin Baer was sitting in the audience Thursday night when the troupe presented the show as a dress rehearsal for those who frequent the senior citizen center.

The play itself is quite enjoyable, as are those who portray its four characters. One word of warning, however: "Chapter Two" is for mature audiences.

The setting features two New York apartments, and although both are on the same stage, they are cleverly delineated by the use of lighting.

Ron Webber and Angela Spencer portray the more serious characters of George Schneider and Jennie Malone. Both are starting "chapter two" of their lives; George is recently widowed, Jennie, recently divorced.

J.D. Cariker and Kelly Webber portray the comedic matchmakers in the story, Leo Schneider, who wants to fix up his brother with any number of women, and Faye Medwick, who wants to find her friend a date.

They all do a fine job. As with most CCAA productions, it seems the actors are just perfect for the parts they play.

Ron Webber plays the sad widower who is totally lost without his wife with perfect mannerisms, yet he is able to deliver funny, quaint lines as well. Angela Spencer plays the not-quite-so-gay divorcee, who is looking for love again without wanting to ask too many questions. Their interaction is the heart of the story.

The comic relief added by J.D. Cariker and Kelly Webber provides counterbalance to the story. Cariker's happy-go-lucky character seems to breeze right along life's journey, except for the few times he, too, shows the depth of his sadness for his departed sister-in-law. Kelly Webber's character is quite physically striking on stage, and although she seems to be a woman on the prowl, she, too, is looking for a second chance in her marriage.

Neil Simon's plays presented by Conway Community Arts Association have been well accepted by local audiences; "Chapter Two" should be no exception.

(Staff writer Carol Rolf can be reached by e-mail at carol.rolf@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1257.)