Playhouse to show ‘What the Night is For’

Tom Titus

A few months ago, the Laguna Playhouse used its vast staging area for

a two-character romantic serio-comedy about lovers who meet, connect,

then ultimately break up. It was called “The Last Five Years.”

This weekend, another couple will test the romantic waters -- only

this time, they’re both married, but they had enjoyed a brief fling a

decade ago. Will they reignite the flames?

Well, when the title is “What the Night is For,” there hardly

seems to be much doubt. But then, who really knows for sure? This

will be the American premiere of Michael Weller’s play following an

initial stint in London.

Those local theatergoers with really long memories will place

Weller’s name -- two of his plays were presented long ago at South

Coast Repertory. “Moonchildren” was staged at the old Third Step

Theater in downtown Costa Mesa, while “Loose Ends” was presented at

the current establishment.

Richard Stein, executive director of the playhouse and director of

“What the Night is For,” calls Weller’s play an insightful and funny

exploration of modern marriage and infidelity.

“Ten years after the end of their affair in New York, two lovers

meet at a hotel room far from their homes,” Stein said. “Both are now

married, both have children and both have been wondering about the

road not taken. What begins as a casual meal and an evening of

catching up turns into a painful, hilarious, passionate and moving

voyage.”

Comprising the cast will be Kip Gilman and Claudia Christian. If

the latter name rings a bell, it probably should, since Christian is

a former Lagunan who has made her mark in movies, theater and

television -- most notably as the bisexual Commander Susan Ivanova in

the sci-fi series “Babylon 5.”

Christian will be filling the shoes of another TV icon, Gillian

Anderson of “The X-Files,” who created the role for the London

production.

Playwright Weller has made his contributions to Hollywood with

screenplays for two movies directed by Milos Foreman -- “Hair” and

“Ragtime.” And currently he’s moving from the two-character genre of

“What the Night is For” to the Herculean task of writing the book for

a whopping musical based on Boris Pasternak’s “Doctor Zhivago,” being

developed down the road a few miles at the La Jolla Playhouse.

Director Stein cautions that: “What the Night is For” contains

adult language and themes, and is not recommended for children.

The play’s gala opening is Saturday night, to be followed by

performances Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays and

Sundays at 2 and 8 p.m., through May 2. Tickets may be ordered by

calling the playhouse at (949) 497-2787.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.