Marathon of One-Act Plays 2010

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Intriguing ideas abound in the five pieces that comprise Series B in Ensemble Studio Theatre's Marathon of One-Act Plays 2010, making for a rich theatrical smorgasbord. It's unfortunate, though, that many of the works are over-written and so theatergoers will feel oversated and a little overwhelmed even before evening's end.

The most succinct -- and successful -- piece is Laura Jacqmin's Airborne, a marvelously terse meditation on a fatal accident that befalls a paratrooper, Jensen (played with simple intensity by Megan Tusing), during what should be routine parachuting drills. The work unfolds with curious beauty as Tusing wraps herself in a long white cloth held taut by two castmates. [...]

Series A in Ensemble Studio Theatre's Marathon of One-Act Plays 2010 concludes with two pieces that capture audiences' imaginations and hearts, grandly compensating for the less-than-satisfying trio of works that begin the evening of new short plays.

The series begins with Ben Rosenthal's promising play Safe, a portrait of a tumultuous evening between Wally (Gio Perez) and his stepfather Kearn (Danny Mastrogiorgio), both of whom are reeling from the recent death of Wally's mom. Unfortunately, the piece fails to convince as it veers between testosterone-fueled aggression and symbolism. The performers work valiantly, under Carolyn Cantor's direction, to navigate the play's twists and turns [...]