TOM TITUS -- Theater Review

Two generations of working women clash and coexist with each other and

their unseen employers in the world premiere of Annie Weisman’s “Hold

Please,” now holding forth on the Second Stage of South Coast Repertory.

The setting is the secretarial pool at a large metropolitan company,

where the differences -- and similarities -- between a pair of

twentysomething secretaries and two somewhat more senior colleagues are

first hinted at, then magnified in an increasingly involving staging by

director Mark Rucker.

Weisman’s characters represent various facets of the working woman,

from the young, energetic turkette on her way up to the veteran employee

who’s seen, and done, it all. The blond bimbo and the happy homemaker

share space and secrets in this captivating chronicle.

All are viewed as competent receptionists, though their personalities

and priorities vary widely. There’s Agatha (Kimberly K. King), who

haughtily holds the top rung of the pecking order; Grace (Linda

Gehringer), also endowed with seniority and clinging fast to tradition;

Jessica (Tessa Auberjonois), the flame-haired go-getter; and Erika

(Jillian Bach), the sexy young blond assistant who doesn’t mind being the

boss’ plaything if it spells job security.

Of the foursome, Bach blossoms as the star of this show after

virtually waiting in the wings through much of the first act. Her

determination and devotion to her new employer (once the old one is

bounced out on a sexual harassment rap) and her steely gift for

self-preservation are particularly impressive.

King also delivers a memorable performance at the opposite end of the

scale, conducting her “heart meetings” to determine her colleagues’

feelings and establishing herself as the leader she could not become when

her chance came. Her comically detailed accounting of that traumatic

incident of long ago is a highlight of the play’s second act.

Gehringer is fine as an elder stateswoman, ministering to a colleague

caught in the same trap she encountered in her youth. Her softness

splendidly contrasts with King’s stiff traditionalist and Bach’s eager

apple polisher.

As the young secretary using her physical charms for advancement

purposes, Auberjonois sidesteps cliche and stereotype quite deftly. Often

alone with her phones and her thoughts, she skillfully peels away the

protective veneer she employs in more public situations.

While the first act often feels tentative and constrained, focusing on

the superfluous, the second kicks the play into a higher gear as the four

actresses open the curtains on their respective characters. Auberjonois

in particular is a distinct pleasure to watch in this regard.

Christopher Acebo’s office setting is immaculate and authentic, and

Joyce Kim Lee’s modern costumes are well chosen -- especially

Auberjonois’ in the final scene. Geoff Korf’s lighting choices and Aram

Arslanian’s sound effects -- the “typewriter song” segment in particular

-- add to the enjoyment of the production.

“Hold Please” offers a sharp, new and young voice in the theater --

Weisman is still on the sunny side of 30 -- in a finely developed world

premiere that should have many future productions ahead.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Thursdays and Saturdays.

FYI

* WHAT: “Hold Please”

* WHERE: Second Stage, South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive,

Costa Mesa

* WHEN: 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 2 and 7:45 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays until Oct. 21

* COST: $27-$51

* PHONE: (714) 708-5555