Totally Unauthorized

Gail likes fiction–the more heartbreaking the better. So she seriously loved Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout.

It’s an innovative kind of fiction–13 independent short stories all relating to one central character, a bulky, unpleasant, cold, aloof, distant 7th grade math teacher in a small town in Maine, and the lives she touches.

The Word for Word Theater Company is staging two of the stories in Z Space, a theater in the Mission district in the City.  Something we often forget is that San Francisco has a very lively “off-Broadway” theater life, with small spaces producing innovative and experimental works at very reasonable prices.

Okay, back to the play.  As the name Word for Word Theater Company might imply, this is a very upscale staged reading.  The actors are reciting the story as written.  So Olive doesn’t just say “Hello”, she says, “Hello, Olive said”.  Sometimes all the characters speak in unison. It’s an interesting literary/theatrical conceit, which Gail loved and I thought became somewhat  oppressive.

The staging was excellent, with 7 cast members (5 of them members of Equity) performing quite a few roles on an open stage with just a table and chairs, a ramp, and a corner bench/table.  Costumes were bright and inventive, transforming the limited cast into a bevy of minor characters.

Gail, having swallowed and digested the book, thought that the ending of the play was considerably softened from the tone of the relevant short story.  I’ll just have to believe her, but most people want a happy ending anyway.

Reception to this theatrical work has been exceptional–for a small theater miles from Market street, they are doing so well that the run has been extended until October 10, at least.  Go see it if you can.

Z Space

450 Florida Street, San Francisco