'2 Across' opens for 8-performance run next week

Call it theatrical minimalism. One actor. One actress. One set.

Add one snappy script, and that's 90 minutes of drama, humor and even some romance when Capital City Productions opens Off-Broadway favorite "2 Across" for an eight-performance run next week at Shikles Auditorium in Jefferson City.

"2 Across" opened in New York last December starring two familiar faces from the live theater scene - Kip Gilman and Andrea McArdle, she the flame-haired, quick-quipping star of "Annie" more than a few decades ago.

The newest Capital City Productions play of 2016 will stage eight performances at the 1200 Linden Drive theater, with a date for everyone: evening performances, matinees, dinner shows, dessert shows and dates Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays over the next two weeks.

Acclaimed television screen writer Jerry Mayer penned "2 Across." You've no doubt seen and enjoyed "MASH," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "All in the Family," "Bewitched" or "The Bob Newhart Show," all from the mind of Mayer. Chances are you're going to revel in the repartee he's imagined between Josh and Janet, as it will be recreated by local theatrical faves Ken Thompson and Kit Meyer.

New York critics have agreed on this story line "2 Across," as shared with us by Capital City vice president Brandon Sankpill, which we unabashedly share for your edification:

"Two strangers, a man and a woman board a San Francisco BART (Bay Area Rail Transit) train at 4:30 a.m. They're alone in the car. Each is married. Both are doing the New York Times crossword puzzle. She's an organized, sensible, psychologist. He's a free-spirited ad exec. She is a crossword pro. He always quits. When he tosses his puzzle away, she snaps, "Crosswords are a metaphor for life, those who finish succeed, those who don't fail." Now he vows to finish. Why?

He's a competitor. She happens to be lovely. This starts an 80-minute ride described by critics as hilarious, witty, romantic, poignant and wonderfully entertaining.

Two opposites in an enclosed space, attacking each other's values but also being swayed and intrigued by them. They each have serious life problems that the other helps them solve.

Their trip is filled with unpredictable but believable surprises. And, yes, Jefferson City, there are passionate kissing embraces. As the train ride ends, it's obvious each of them has been changed for the better. At least that's what the critics are reported to have written.

Repartee that includes references to the storied Will Shortz, crossword editor of the New York Times, snarky boy vs. girl fencing and BYOB at the Shikles Auditorium, well, can a night at the theater get any better than that?

Link: www.capitalcityproductions.org

FULL EVENT SCHEDULE

Evening performances:

Thursday, Nov. 3

Friday, Nov. 4

Saturday, Nov. 5

Thursday, Nov. 10

Friday, Nov. 11

Saturday, Nov.12

Matinee performances:

Sunday, Nov. 6

Sunday, Nov. 13

The Thursday and Sunday performances are dessert and show packages, at $22 per person. The Friday and Saturday performances are dinner and show events, at $38 per person.

The doors will open for evening dinner performances at 6 p.m., with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. and the play at 7:30 p.m. The doors will open for evening dessert performances at 6:30 p.m. with the show following an hour later. For the matinees, doors open at 1:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Each of the performances allows patrons to enjoy their beverage of choice, the BYOB way, Sankpill said.