(Theatre Reviewer: Linda Marley Smith)

The story begins in West Hollywood with the unannounced arrival of Libby Tucker, the estranged daughter of flailing screenwriter, Herb Tucker.  It is revealed that he had abandoned his east coast family sixteen years earlier and that she, upon turning nineteen, has decided to pursue a film career while becoming re-acquainted with her father.  The only other character in this spare cast is Herb’s significant but not-live-in other, Steffy.  The play was first produced in 1979 in Los Angeles with Tony Curtis playing Herb.  It then opened at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre in New York the following spring. 

It should be noted that when I Ought To Be In Pictures was written, the fallout from recent social revolution had begun to pile up casualties in the form of erstwhile nuclear families that were now broken and seeking some kind of solace and reconciliation.  The term, “blended families” was yet to be coined.  Simon, himself, was twice wed by that time with two daughters from his first marriage.

This incarnation is directed by Brendan Hoyle who blends some delightful production elements, including well-chosen musical selections from the era such as Carol King’s “So Far Away,” Dylan’s “Tangled Up and Blue,” and Lennon’s “Starting Over.”  The set, designed by Jeff Corriveau and dressed by Rebecca Cano, is another satisfying LTN creation that invites us into the tatty, disheveled home of a bachelor writer in Act I, then transforms to a comfy domestic nest in Act II.  Each character was perfectly clad by costumer Leslie Draper, and Brad Rudacille’s lighting design was very appropriate.

These technical elements set the stage for a story that immediately kicks off with a spirited, energetic, even brilliant performance by Courtney Coffey as the daughter, Libby.  Ms. Coffey completely inhabits this delightful character and takes us on a dizzying ride that incorporates humor, insight and poignancy.  She has a finely tuned sense of timing and lets the comedy speak.  It doesn’t get any better than this!

Also believable is Herb’s girlfriend, Steffy, played by Christine Fonsale Rogerson.  She integrates warmth and insight into the woman who often acts as a bridge between father and daughter.  We look forward to seeing her on stage in future roles.

Somewhat less successful is Kevin Martingayle in the role of the father, Herb.  His pedantic pacing often threatens to halt the marvelous momentum built by the other two characters.  In establishing the distance and discomfort of the father, he could have afforded to pick up some cues and given us a glimpse of multiple character dimensions in the first act.  By the second act, however, he warms up to a couple of particularly poignant scenes near the end.  I won’t spoil it for you, but this actor later effectively channels his personal experience for our benefit.

LTN had produced I Ought To Be In Pictures to great success several years earlier, directed by theatre favorite, David Burton, who died last January. The show is respectfully and fondly dedicated to his memory. 

I Ought To Be In Pictures offers us an interesting, entertaining story with lots of laughs and a couple of tears.  It’s a fine night out – go see it!  Running through January 24, 2010, contact www.ltnonline.org  for ticket pricing and information.