Review by Neal Newman
August 5, 2023
There’s some impressive acting in BOCA which just opened at the ACT II Playhouse in Ambler. 5 performers impersonate 10 unique characters in the story of a 55-plus retirement complex in Florida. I didn’t read the program carefully before the 80-minute area premiere comedy began, and it was only halfway through that I realized there were not 10 different actors on the stage. As we left the theater, audience members were still sorting out which character was played by which actor. Under the skilled direction of Tony Braithwaite, each performer creates distinctive physical and vocal characteristics that result in acting as a great art-form. Aided by the inventive costumes of Seana Benz and especially the wig design of Bridget Brennan, these mightily experienced actors have a joyous field day with this play. Megan Jones’ scenic design is brightly unrealistic and in varied colors under James Leitner’s expert lighting.
BOCA by Jessica Provenz is a series of varied scenes detailing the lives of uprooted retirees who find themselves in The Oasis, with its swimming pools, golf courses, and multiple canasta tournaments. Though they are members of a retirement community, there isn’t much community feeling as the play begins. Still, gradually, the residents discover that to survive the trials and loneliness of the golden age, this commonality is necessary for human survival. Our population is greying, and these building complexes are springing up everywhere these days. Provenz creates characters that are sometimes quirky, frequently annoying, and the actors, thankfully, do not try to make them lovable. The plot, what little there is, concerns the attempts to dethrone the longtime but obnoxious president of the condo board with a retired kindergarten teacher. One memorable scene involves a resident demanding a date with a newly widowered husband at gunpoint.
The artistes, all of them memorable, are Mary Martello, Ellen Ratner, Penelope Reed, Peter Schmitz, and Tom Teti. Longtime local theater fans will recall each of them from outstanding past performances. You’ll have to figure out who plays what in BOCA for yourself.
It must be noted that BOCA is a sitcom. It is not a profound American classic like AH WILDERNESS, or YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU. Author Provenz can skillfully craft a funny line every few seconds, and the actors take to Braithwaite’s slam-bang directing pace like seniors to bingo. If your taste runs toward THE GOLDEN GIRLS or THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW, this is the night out for you.
RUNNING TIME: 80 minutes with no intermission.
BOCA runs through September 3rd, 2023, at the ACT II PLAYHOUSE, 56 E. Butler Pike in Ambler, PA. Tickets can be obtained at act2.org or by calling 215-654-0200.