The spotlight?s on Mary, and she deserves it.
In Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre?s production of “Mary, Mary,” written by Jean Kerr in 1961, some laughs are lost, but Baltimore audiences will still crack a smile often and may even laugh out loud.
The play focuses on Mary and Bob McKellway, a separated couple in the midst of a divorce, complicated by Bob?s fiancee, Tiffany Richards ? an overbearing and wealthy younger woman ? and Dirk Winston, an old friend of Bob?s who takes an interest in Mary. Tax attorney and friend Oscar Nelson brings the couple back together.
After Mary learns of Bob?s engagement to Tiffany, he doesn?t want to be left alone with her ? that is, until old friend and Hollywood playboy Dirk, played smoothly by Steve Avelleyra, asks her to dinner.
The lack of chemistry between Roy Hammond?s Bob and Christina Enoch?s Tiffany slows Kerr?s comedy at first. But Denis L. Latkowski, playing Oscar, brings a consistent source of humor to the three-act story.
Kerr?s killer one-liners and well-crafted idiosyncrasies achieve perfection in Vicki Margolis? Mary. She nails demanding scenes, seamlessly transitioning from brash to vulnerable, outraged to smitten, defensive to loving.
The tale unfolds over two days in the McKellways? cozy living room ? perfect for the theater?s intimate space. Sherionne Brown?s direction allows actors to use the stage effectively. Impeccably detailed set design and costumes do not rely on overplayed ?60s stereotypes.
In the successful scenes, the audience is a fly on the wall as the McKellways recall the minutia of their marriage and history.
Minor kinks such as Tiffany?s grating voice and Bob?s constant hand movements, however, break the voyeurism. Not until the final scenes does Hammond appear completely comfortable on stage, even exploding with energy.
Well-paced character development and action help, because “Mary, Mary” clocks in at just under three hours, including two intermissions.
If you go
“Mary, Mary”
» Venue: Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre, 817 St. Paul St., Baltimore
» Times: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through Feb. 4
