LA Weekly: "Pick of the Week"

Six scenes compose Sarah Phelps’ witty photo album of modern couplings, and five minutes into it, when a bridesmaid downs a shot of whiskey and proceeds to seduce the groom, it’s clear Phelps is more passionate about psychological power plays than sweet passion. Her snapshot trysts spark with a tension that’s more animus than amorous — there’s the blueblood housewife unsuccessfully trying to goad the carpenter into re-enacting a pulp-novel debasement (he grins at her shock at his use of the word “proletariat”); the malignant one-night stand; the callous office mate insisting that her gentler partner accept their unadulterated fuck-buddy status, minus that bothersome “buddy” business; and the husband and wife determined to respark their romance by changing the other’s identity. The pre-honeymoon liaison bracketing the vignettes also loosely links them together; Phelps has threaded crafty ties through her couples that add both cohesion and curiosity to what could have easily felt like a disjointed scattering. Fine actors Johnny Clark and Robyn Cohen play all parts and segue smoothly through the evening courtesy of Ross Kramer’s gracefully choreographed direction. John G. Williams’ set and Erin M. Hearne’s lighting underscore Phelps’ structure, finding major impact in simple gestures. Vs. Theater Company at the Victory Theater Center’s Little Victory Theater, 3324 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.; thru Dec. 12. (818) 841-5421 or (323) 850-6045. Written 11/18/2004 (Amy Nicholson)