Marti Baer

Awkward, what? A few delicate difficulties exacerbate a rare gathering of old friends in Absent Friends, written by Alan Ayckbourn and directed by Angela Mason. The situation is ripe for the kind of tragic comedy for which British playwrights, especially Ayckbourn, are well known.

There’s one advantage to being nescient about theatre and film; I don’t know what to expect. However, considering the cast, I predicted The Petrified Forest, written by Robert E. Sherwood and directed by Marti Baer, would be a musical comedy.

It’s a toss–up. If you can be bothered to go out for the evening and see the play, write to me and tell me your opinion. Here’s mine: Jacqueline Andersen, Coley Grundman, Alex Shafer, and Peter Budinger are tied for my Actor Most Enjoying Him/HerSelf Award, all for different reasons.

The Fantasticks opened off-Broadway in 1960 and closed in early 2002 after a record-breaking 17,162 performances. It was the longest-running show of any kind in the United States, and the longest-running musical in the world. This production at the Masquers runs June 9 through July 22 on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 8 pm. Sunday matinees at 2:30 pm on June 25 and July 2, 9 & 16. Call (510) 232-4031 or visit www.masquers.org.