The Festival at Actors Alliance of San Diego's Program One provides a mixed bag of treats. Let's get right to them:
The Pygmalion Project, written and directed by George Soete, produced by Eric Poppick, stars Julie Inmon and Duane Weekly, as a quite backward couple from a small hamlet in Arkansas. They are contacted by a couple from New York, Amee Wood and Eric Poppick, who have strange but unidentified plans for the Arkansas lady. This is some kind of extremely extreme makeover.
A World Apart, written, produced, directed, and starring Matt Scott with Cris O'Bryon. Can two brothers, totally different, possibly find common ground and understanding? Leather-jacketed Scott is a rough older brother trying to get his younger sibling back to the homestead, at least for a little while. O'Bryon, replete in a suit, surrounded by the toys of success, has some very strong reasons for not returning. A compelling drama.
Trying to Find Chinatown, penned by David Henry Hwang, directed by Ed Hollingsworth, with Trey Barkley and Alexander Nguyen, who also produced the piece, is a story of a search. Can a Caucasian guy raised by a Chinese couple find his roots in Chinatown? When he meets an Asian street violinist, the fireworks begin. The conflict between the two varies from red hot to cool blue.
Cell Shock, is inked by Steve Koppman with George Soete at the helm as producer/director. The setting is a coffee shop. Patron James Steinberg is busy with a ton of work while sipping his coffee. Enter Leslie Gold, on her cell phone carrying on a loud, very personal conversation with her girlfriend. He attempts to get her attention. What follows is a delightful conversation. Life goes on with the entrance of George Soete. Alas, we've all experienced "Cell Shock."
Too Bad, a James Caputo project, has spicy language as a couple relate the reason for their breakup and the reasons why the breakup may have been-ill advised. Rosina Reynolds and Jim Chovick are the couple. This is a very interesting and insightful piece, displaying the vagaries of relationships.
Breakfast for Dinner, a Tim West creation, stars Betty Matthews and Joe Solazzo. This is a touching romance as a truck driver, a regular at a small diner, orders breakfast at his dinner time (he works nights until the early morning). The proprietor and he attended high school together many years ago. West includes just a touch of science that parallels the story nicely.
