Westlake High School presents short comic plays by David Ives
'All in the Timing' presents challenges
By Sabrina Samedi Special to the Acorn

MAURICIO GUZMAN/Special to the Acorn THESPIANS- - Samantha Silver as Betty, left, and Alex Smith as Bill will star in "Sure Thing," one of the plays in "All in the Timing" at Westlake High School. Samantha and Alex have been active in multiple productions over the past three years at the school.

It's the perfect time to come see "All in the Timing," Westlake High School's first theater production of the year. The unique offering incorporates in a single show a series of nine one-act plays by David Ives.

A comedy with serious undertones, "All in the Timing" is set in the contemporary Seven Menus diner. Characters at nine different tables prepare to share their stories with the audience.

Whether the story is as simple as two friends meeting for lunch or as odd as a lesson in a nonexistent language, each is so different from the one before that the audience is constantly entertained by the shifting characters and plot lines.

"'All in the Timing' is fun and presents a unique challenge to all the students . . . a lot more mature theater programs wouldn't have their students take on such a complex role of putting on a series of plays in one show," said WHS drama teacher Catherine Conti.

Auditions took place in September, with 45 students trying out for the 28 parts. Students in all grade levels were encouraged to audition.

The play is "multiple plays being combined together, which should offer a greater sense of entertainment for the audience," said cast member Megan Hess, a WHS senior.

Another cast member, sophomore Jordyn Colemon compared the play to one of the classics.

"All in the Timing" is not your basic "Romeo and Juliet" play; it is in some ways better and more modern," she said.

"All in the Timing" continues at the WHS theater at 7 p.m. Nov. 15, 16 and 17 and 2 p.m. Nov. 17.

Tickets are available at the door and cost $10 for adults, $5 for students and children. In addition, tickets, including a $20 special-offer ticket that includes unlimited viewings of the production, can also be purchased from cast members before show nights.

Sabrina Samedi, an intern at the Acorn, is a senior at Westlake High School.