CurtainUp
CurtainUp
The Internet Theater Magazine of Reviews, Features, Annotated Listings
HOME PAGE

SITE GUIDE

SEARCH


REVIEWS

REVIEW ARCHIVES

ADVERTISING AT CURTAINUP

FEATURES

NEWS
Etcetera and
Short Term Listings


LISTINGS
Broadway
Off-Broadway

NYC Restaurants

BOOKS and CDs

OTHER PLACES
Berkshires
London
California
New Jersey
DC
Connecticut
Philadelphia
Elsewhere

QUOTES

TKTS

PLAYWRIGHTS' ALBUMS

LETTERS TO EDITOR

FILM

LINKS

MISCELLANEOUS
Free Updates
Masthead
A CurtainUp New Jersey Review
2 Across

Starting a crossword is like entering college, and finishing it gives you your degree. — Janet.
 2 across
Andrea McArdle & Kip Gilman (Photo: Carol Rosegg)
Opposites attract, they say, and sometimes it is as simple as a crossword puzzle to ignite a relationship of two opposites. Whether the relationship lasts longer than a shuttle ride is another matter.

2 Across, Jerry Mayer's witty salute to crossword puzzle fans is directed by Evelyn Rudie and introduces Janet (Andrea McArdle) and Josh (Kip Gilman) on a lonely early morning BART airport shuttle from San Francisco to their home destinations. They pass the time with crossword puzzles.

For Janet, crosswords are important. She does them in ink and totes along a dictionary, thesaurus, atlas and various other resources to help her finish every puzzle perfectly, every day. She is a well-dressed, tightly wound psychologist wgi keeps her secrets close to the vest. Right now she quietly dabs away some tears, upset after just leaving her son at the airport. He quit high school to enlist in the Marines.

Josh, the only other passenger, happens to be just the opposite. He is free and easy, loquacious and currently unemployed. He's the type who does crossword puzzles in pencil, using the eraser freely and turning to the sports page when he is stumped or distracted. She is Cathollc, he is Jewish — and both are wearing wedding rings.

Restless with his puzzle, Josh starts to provoke Janet. As they bicker, Janet scoffs at his "loosey-goosey" attitude with saying, "Those who don't finish small things like crosswords don't finish big things either."

Over the 80-minute ride, the layers of their lives unravel and truths are revealed. They find they do have a few things in common, like less than satisfying marriages. Surprisingly, each finds something to admire and even need from the other. Not surprisingly, a tinge of attraction flickers between them.

Spending time with these two opposites provides a breezy light comedy with a dollop of romance, some laughs and a bit of substance. Mayer, a successful writer of television sitcoms ( M*A*S*H, The Mary Tyler Moore Show ) has the snappy language and rhythm of sitcom characters down pat. In the same vein, the characters show little depth in a play with no challenging conflicts. The ending is convenient, indicating that this camaraderie may continue on, but then again may not. It leaves the audience with a smidgen of hope.

Director Evelyn Rudie keeps a crisp light touch, emphasizing the characterizations and skillfully uses the confined space of the shuttle car. You may remember Rudie has some TV experience of her own, memorably playing the whimsical five-year-old Eloise in a '50's television's  Playhouse 90  production. She keeps the focus on the one-liners and humor.

Kip Gilman is thoroughly believable as the likeably neurotic Josh. He has an easy comic flair as his character admits the many mishaps in his life. His go-with-the-flow attitude also reveals a warmth toward his straight-laced foil, going so far as to take a bold move to help her, which Janet does not first appreciate.

Playing Janet, Andrea McArdle ( Annie ), seems uncomfortable in her role. At the preview performance I attended she played her character with stiff distinction, her lines sounding delivered rather than felt. Since McArdle is talented and experienced she will hopefully ettle into a more believable Janet as the run continues.

Scott Heineman designed a catchy shuttle set. The lighting by Josh Iacovelli that suggests the pattern of a crossword puzzle.

After the curtain call, the two actors step out of character and McArdle turns to what she is best known for (no, it's not "Tomorrow"). She sings the lilting standard, "It Had to Be You," with Gilman (and some in the audience) joining in. In this feel-good moment, 2 Across proves a free and easy fit for the small off-Broadway St Luke's Theatre.

2 Across Playwright: Jerry Mayer
Director: Evelyn Rudie
Cast: Andrea McArdle and Kip Gilman
Set Design: Scott Heineman
Lighting Design: Josh Iacovelli
Production Stage Manager: Josh Iacovelli
Running Time: 80 min. No intermission
Theatre: St. Luke's Theatre, 308 West 46nd Street. (Between 8th and 9th Avenues)
Tickets: $69.50 or $39.50. Tickets at Telecharge (800) 447-7400 or (212) 246-8140.
Performances: Wed., Sat. at 8pm. Sun. matinees at 2pm.
Previews: 11/14/15. Opens: 12/9/15. Closes: Open-Ended
Review by Elizabeth Ahlfors based on performance 12/6/15
REVIEW FEEDBACK
Highlight one of the responses below and click "copy" or"CTRL+C"
  • I agree with the review of 2 Across
  • The review made me eager to see 2 Across
  • I disagree with the review of 2 Across
Click on the address link E-mail: esommer@curtainup.com
Paste the highlighted text into the subject line (CTRL+ V):

Feel free to add detailed comments in the body of the email. . .also the names and emails of any friends to whom you'd like us to forward a copy of this review.

For a feed to reviews and features as they are posted add http://curtainupnewlinks.blogspot.com to your reader
Curtainup at Facebook . . . Curtainup at Twitter
Subscribe to our FREE email updates: E-mail: esommer@curtainup.comesommer@curtainup.com
put SUBSCRIBE CURTAINUP EMAIL UPDATE in the subject line and your full name and email address in the body of the message. If you can spare a minute, tell us how you came to CurtainUp and from what part of the country.
The New Similes Dictionary






©Copyright 2015, Elyse Sommer.
Information from this site may not be reproduced in print or online without specific permission from esommer@curtainup.com