"All in the Timing" Presented Virtually by Fresno State University Theatre

By Lorie Lewis Ham

Fresno State University Theatre’s final virtual production of the season, All in the Timing, opened last weekend. The show was written by David Ives and directed by J. Daniel Herring. The production, which was filmed in the John Wright Theatre in conjunction with the Department of Media, Communications, and Journalism, streams online through June 12.

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Nicole Falcouner & Tyler Murphy in "Sure Thing"

All in the Timing is made up of six diverse one-act comedies that include a little bit of everything. The show starts off with Sure Thing. In this story, a couple on a first date get the chance to keep resetting and trying again each time they say the wrong thing. Words, Words, Words takes the “infinite monkey theorem” -- the idea that given enough time, three monkeys in a room could eventually compose any given text, including Shakespeare’s Hamlet -- and turns it into reality. In The Universal Language, a shy young woman puts her faith in a language tutor who turns out to be a fraud, but while “teaching” her this made-up language both of their lives are changed for the better. Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread is an existential mini-musical parody based on the work of composer Philip Glass. This one is a fun mix of rap, singing, and language. In The Philadelphia, a man discovers that he’s entered a strange pocket of the universe where the only way to get what he wants is to ask for the opposite. But he also discovers there are many strange pockets of the universe all with their own rules. Finally, in Variations on the Death of Leon Trotsky, the audience is treated to the hilarious vision of the famous Marxist waxing poetical -- and dying, over and over and over again, each time with a different twist.

Luke R. Nothstein, Cassidy LeClair & Andy Souk in "The Universal Language"

 

“The production takes place in an Avant-garde abstract comedic world,” says Herring in a recent press release. “Each of the six one act plays exist in a Twilight Zone type world in which everyday reality is only present in very specific moments. It is a wacky farcical depiction of problems and issues we face in our lives such as sticking one's foot in one's mouth, feeling isolated, bemoaning a lost love, or just having a bad day.”

Andrew Mickelson, Julia Prieto, & Carlos Sanchez in "Variations on the Death of Leon Trotsky"

 

The cast includes Santiago Batista, Lexie Castellanos, Nicole Faulconer, Reese Jade Herron, Duncan Hoge, Cassidy LeClair, Rachel Maciel, Ethan Magill, Sofia Sabine McCurry, Andrew Mickelson, Dylan Mark Murphy, Tyler Murphy, Luke R. Nothstein, Julia Prieto, Carlos Sanchez, and Andy Souk.

Ethan Magill, Duncan Hoge, & Reese Jade Heron in "Words, Words, Words"

This is a fun show and some of the stories definitely have a Twilight Zone feel to them. There are moments where you laugh out loud, ones that make you smile, ones that make you think, and ones that make you wonder. One of my favorites was Sure Thing—if only we could keep starting over in real life when we say the wrong thing. Another favorite was The Universal Language as we watch two strangers end up changing each other’s lives.

All of the actors did a great job, the little bit of singing was lovely, and I think we could all use a laugh right now! Don’t miss the final performances of this unique production. The remaining performances are June 8-12 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets-

$15 – General Admission

$10 – Students

Tickets are only available for purchase via their website www.fresnostate.edu/theatrearts with a credit card.

If you love local theatre, be sure to check out Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast, which features mysteries read by local actors. You can check the podcast out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and also on podbean. A new episode just went up last week!

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and an enthusiastic contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie's mystery writing at Mysteryrat's Closet.