Scene One offers two-man play

Jerico Whitaker, left, and Dan Zaiger play Harry and Sam in Scene One Theatre's upcoming production of Karen Ellison's "The Harry and Sam Dialogues," directed by Mark Wegman.
Jerico Whitaker, left, and Dan Zaiger play Harry and Sam in Scene One Theatre's upcoming production of Karen Ellison's "The Harry and Sam Dialogues," directed by Mark Wegman.

What: "The Harry and Sam Dialogues"

Where: Scene One Theatre, 121 E. High St. in Jefferson City

When: Jan. 9-11 and Jan. 16-18, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $10 per person with opening night at $5 per person, 573-635-6713. www.sceneonetheatre.com

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Written by Karen Ellison, "The Harry and Sam Dialogues" is a two-character show produced by Scene One Theatre.

The play is about old friends, Harry and Sam, who like to pass time posing outlandish questions to one another.

The questions reveal the two men's characters and allow them to take stock of each other while avoiding mundane but important matters in life.

Harry and his wife, Marge, are having troubles, and he discusses this with his friend Sam.

Events drive them apart for a time, but they find they are incomplete without each other.

In the end they reconcile and decide not to throw away years of friendship.

Jerico Whitaker plays Harry, and Dan Zaiger plays Sam. Both are veteran Scene One actors.

The wife, Marge, is not an actual character in the show but is brought in through the dialogue between the men.

According to director Mark Wegman, the show is verbal interaction, not a lot of physical action.

The black boxes that audiences are familiar with are used to create different sets such as a local bar, camping and playing ball.

"Jerico and Dan are doing a lot of things together to make the show work," Wegman said.

"I found out that in some scenes I was over-directing," Wegman said. "I needed to keep it a little simpler and let the dialogue and characters work."

Ashley Cook is co-director and said that she is really enjoying the experience.

She describes the show as basically comedic with periods of drama.

"It is a great experience and is a lesson in progress. Working with Mark is great and the cast makes you feel so welcome," Cook said.

Cook has appeared on stage with Capital City Players and has done lighting for several of the Scene One shows.

"Ashley adds a woman's touch and view point and helps the audience see where Marge is coming from," Wegman said.

Grant Lenhardt is helping as prompter and working with sound and lights.

"Everyone from late teens through adults will enjoy the show," Cook said.