METEOR SHOWER

A Comedy by Steve Martin

A Theater Review by Julinda D. Lewis

Presented by CAT – Chamberlayne Actor’s Theatre

At: The Lynn Theatre at Brightpoint Community College, 800 Charter Colony Pkwy, T Building, Room T112, Midlothian, VA 23114

Performances: September 16-29, 2023

Ticket Prices: $24.00 General Admission. $22.00 Seniors

Info: http://www.cattheatre.com

Steve Martin’s comedic play METEOR SHOWER is probably one of those shows you will either love or hate. Either way, you will laugh. A lot.

For some, knowing that the author is THE Steve Martin may be all you need to know to decide whether to go or not, whether you will like it or not, and most importantly, whether or not you will ever again speak to the person who invited you.

The plot is simple (in more than one sense of the word): In 1993 a meteor shower occurs in Ojai, CA, where Corky lives with her husband Norm. The two are a solidly united loving couple who have obviously attended one too many couples’ therapy sessions. Corky and Norm decide to invite another couple over to have dinner and watch the meteor shower, only to find that Laura and Gerald are not who they appear to be or what Corky and Norm expected.

Over the course of the evening, the plot twists and turns, the story stops and restarts. Remember when you were a kid and things went wrong and you wanted a do-over? Well, METEOR SHOWER is the repository of all your childhood do-overs.

There is a minimalist set of  “a modern home in Ojai, California,” and a backyard dominated by two of the most uncomfortable looking lawn chaises I have ever seen. These chairs, however, play a key part in the evening’s events. A privacy fence cleverly disguises a walkway that leads to the house. And the audience is treated to a soothing, looping projection of a meteor shower. There is also a pre-show audio recording that is quite amusing – the first time we hear it…

Before the evening is over, you will experience a tale of cannibalism, learn about “bug flux” and exploding head syndrome, and find out what happens when one gets hit by a meteor.

The cast, all making their CAT debut, consists of Paul James and Jennipher Murphy as the host couple, Norm and Corky, and Skye Whitcomb and Constance Moreau and Skye Whitcomb as the guest couple, Gerald and Laura. Moreau and Whitcomb successfully juggled multiple plot twists fueled alternately by sexual innuendo, explosive outbursts, and intentionally dysfunctional exchanges. James maintained a mostly stable personality as a super sweet, super nice guy. As annoying as Norm could be, he actually started to grow on me – but then, the alternative was soooooo much worse. But it was Murphy who had the most complex, amusing, and devious character development and plot twists.

As a play, as a story, METEOR SHOWER has very little substance. It exposes the strengths and weaknesses of marriage and relationships, but doesn’t really have anything to say about any of it. It makes us laugh at things we would ordinarily be embarrassed to admit we watched, much less laughed at. If you need a night of senseless laughter, no strigs attached, this show might be meant for you. Go. Laugh. Enjoy. As for me – it was definitely not my cup of tea.

Julinda D. Lewis is a dancer, teacher, and writer who was born in Brooklyn, NY and now lives in Eastern Henrico County.

METEOR SHOWER

Written by Steve Martin

Directed by Kerrigan Sullivan

Cast

Jennipher Murphy as Corky

Paul James as Norm

Skye Whitcomb as Gerald

Constance Moreau as Laura

Creative Design Team

CAT Producer – Kerrigan Sullivan

Lynn Theatre Production Manager – Alleigh Scantling

Director – Kerrigan Sullivan

Stage Manager – Ari Silva

Lighting & Projection Design – Alleigh Scantling

Scenic & Properties Design – Hailey Bean

Costume Design – Lindsey Ladnier

Sound Design – Kerrigan Sullivan

Dates

September 16 – 29, 2023

Ticket Information

www.cattheatre.com

Ticket prices: $24.00 General Admission, $22.00 Seniors.

Run Time

80 minutes, with no intermission

Photo Credits: Daryll Morgan Studios