Paul Sand
This new play is set in a mansion in the Santa Monica Mountains on a stormy night where Sally, is celebrating her 50th birthday with some intimate friends. Their imaginative party games are in full swing even though its raining and thundering outside.. Suddenly a pilot in a small, single engine plane literally crashes the party. Who, exactly, is this surprise guest?
Cleverly written and vibrantly directed by Award winning actor and Second City alum Paul Sand (now 91), who states, “I’m always struck by how people who barely know me project a part of themselves onto who they think I am. That’s what happens with the pilot. As the partygoers take turns caring for him, each projects a part of themself onto the pilot as they try to figure him out.”
The Pilot (Sol Mason) is a quite charming and ingenuous young man who everyone finds recognizable as they engage him one on one in conversation. To passionate Italian actress Laura (Claudia Ferri) he's a romantic; to vivacious dynamo Sally (Jacqueline Wright) he's the soulmate she's been waiting for, and to wonderfully operatic caterer Barbara (Debra Lane) he serves as a sympathetic ear.
However, to the guys he's a suspicious character. To older man Daniel (Lee Boek) he is definitely a sly criminal while, after a friendly chat, Laura's boyfriend ILO (Francis C. Edemobi) declares he's certainly a devious homosexual. Two fine musicians, cellist Chris Rorrer and violinist Yennie Lam, cleverly insert themselves into the action.
Either way its delightful to see how this total stranger, bewildered and confused as to how he got there, sweetly submits to each persons claim on his real identity. Unfortunately, due to a personal dilemma, my companion and I had to leave before learning the ultimate revelation even though both of us were totally intrigued.
At The Broadwater Theatre, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood. Through May 7.
Tickets: www.onstage411.com/Pilot
