Mauritius: “A Must See”

 

If you don’t like of  Mauritius, now playing at the Pasadena Playhouse, you probably have no business setting foot in a theater. Ever.  Because this is one of those rare productions in which everything fits seamlessly and flows perfectly. It’s chock full of laugh out loud moments, tension and even poignancy, which is no small feat for a story based around a couple of postage stamps.

Any theatrical production can only be as good as the writing. Mauritius, written by Cincinnati born Brooklynite Theresa Rebeck, is plain brilliant in its simplicity, complexity and depth. Director Jessica Kubzansky captures that genius perfectly, and everything from set design to lighting to performance falls into place. Which makes for an evening of transcendent entertainment.

The cast of characters includes Kirsten Kollender as Jackie, who has inherited a stamp collection of purported value. And Monette Magrath as Mary, her older half sister, who believes the collection is hers alone. John Billingsley plays Philip, who owns a tiny stamp shop. Chris L. McKenna plays Dennis, a likable ne’er do well who hangs around the stamp shop, and Ray Abruzzo plays Sterling, a hot tempered thug of some means who is an avid collector. The revolving stage shifts from the stamp shop, to a coffee shop, to the two sisters’ home. The story unfolds flawlessly. It’s a mystery, it’s a comedy, it’s a drama. It’s a must see.

Mauritius plays at the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave. in Pasadena.  Performance schedule is at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday through April 26. Tickets range from $32 to $67. Tickets are available by calling the Pasadena Playhouse by visiting the Pasadena Playhouse Box Office at 626-356-7529, open from noon to 6 p.m. daily excluding holidays and online at www.Pasadenaplayhouse.org.