Sweet and salty, 'Lunch Hour' opens at BLT
“Lunch Hour” is a light look at a heavy topic.
It serves up a side of hilarity amid the poignant and painful realm of fidelity.
Written by Jean Kerr, and expertly directed by Don Shearer, the show is pleasantly amusing for such a contrived plot.
It opens Friday at Butler Little Theatre.
Reminiscent of a drawing room comedy, it reveals a deeper sort of betrayal.
“Lunch Hour” is like a sweet and salty snack: one minute enjoyable, the next minute a little bitey. Or like catching a glimpse of an accident and being unable to look away.
In the tale, two awkward but thoughtful characters discover and deal with their outgoing and witty spouses' affair with each other. The twist is one of them is a marriage counselor.
Oliver, played by Stefan Lingenfelter, is absorbed by the completion of his novel while his seemingly neglected wife Nora, played by Sis Fleming, isn't willing to let the grass grow under her feet or turn away from the affections of a distracted man.
Fleming's fun and flirty personality is lost on her stoic husband while the wealthy Peter is all too willing to whisk her away. The adulterers share a comfortable connection but are perhaps not as committed as they thought.
Gino Dinardo Jr. portrays Peter, the spouse of young Carrie, played by Sarah Altomari, who takes woman scorned in a completely different direction.
Altomari's big doe-eyed innocence combined with energy and the attention span of a squirrel keeps the audience on its toes because one never knows what she'll do or what's coming out of her mouth next.
She is delightful and her chemistry with Lingenfelter priceless. The pair are enjoyable as they devise a plan of retribution against their spouses.
Thrown into the mix is everybody's friend and Oliver and Nora's gregarious summer landlord Leo, played by Grant A. Clark.
The couples do a dance of deceit, dip a toe in despair, and twirl into an unreal quest for a solution to their relational issues. They never miss a beat, their timing is spot on, and their energy makes for an enjoyable evening of theater.
WHO: Butler Little TheatreWHAT: “Lunch Hour” by Jean KerrWHEN: Friday through Jan. 25, at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayWHERE: BLT, One Howard St.TICKETS: $13 online at ButlerLittleTheatre.com or at the door 45 minutes prior to curtain when available.
