You can file the new B Street Theatre comedy "Jack Goes Boating" in the "everybody needs love" category. Make that, "Even misfit, working-class stoners need love."
The likable quartet of pot- smoking, relationship-challenged characters whom playwright Bob Glaudini throws together aren't the most cerebral people you'll ever see on stage. But in this sweet and hilarious production, they stumble toward their elusive emotional needs and desires just like the rest of us.
Clyde, an on-call limo driver, and Lucy, his phone sales associate girlfriend, are trying to set up a couple of friends. Glaudini nearly mocks the four with his portrayals of their service- oriented jobs and humble ambitions, but a sympathetic humanity arrives from the appealing performances and in the quick-witted writing.
Longtime B Street mainstay John Lamb leads the cast as the supportive Clyde. The thin, wiry Lamb creates subtle characters and, though his Clyde creates major dramatic moments, his honest personal weaknesses become endearing qualities. Tara Sissom's big-hearted Lucy, Clyde's sporadically straying partner, is the quintessential brassy New Yorker from Queens.
Together, they hope to set up their loner friend Jack, another driver, with Lucy's eccentric co-worker Connie. Jack has become obsessed with the reggae song "Rivers of Babylon," a Rastafarian anthem that he likes for its mostly positive message. Gifted Peter Story doesn't let Jack become a pot-smoking Cheech and Chong caricature, always revealing the vulnerability of the simple, caring, dreadlocks-sporting driver.
While Dana Brooke's Connie is full of issues from problems of trust through difficulties with physical contact, there is also something hopeful about this troubled character that makes you root for her.
Glaudini's short, episodic scenes emphasize slight narrative moments over character development as Story's charming depiction of Jack's halting courtship of Connie becomes the play's focus. Jack even takes swimming lessons and cooking lessons in his studied pursuit.
Clyde and Lucy's long-term relationship smartly contrasts with Jack and Connie's burgeoning one, but in each we effectively see how challenges eventually strengthen the bonds.
Directed by Buck Busfield, this ensemble makes us care about these unremarkable but easily likable people.
Call Bee theater critic Marcus Crowder, (916) 321-1120. Read his blog postings at www.sacbee.com/21q.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.