'Chapter Two' follows a trail of love

Valley Players will launch its new season with Neil Simon’s ”Chapter Two,” a play about the sweet promise, perils and pitfalls of a second marriage, Nov. 12-15 at West Center Auditorium.

“Chapter Two” tells the story of George, a New York writer grieving over the death of his wife of 18 years from cancer, and Jennie, an actress recently divorced from her pro-football player husband with whom she now has nothing in common.

George and Jennie meet through a mistaken telephone call and wind up deeply in love, but that’s just the beginning.

The two-act comedy is replete with the witty repartee, the sharp-tongued humor about the human condition, and the likable, warm people that characterize Simon’s plays, but this time with an underlying pathos. The semi-autobiographical play is based on Simon’s second marriage to actress Marsha Mason.

Valley Players’ veteran Jerry McAllister (George), Barbie Anastos (Jennie), and Regina Ford (Jennie’s best friend, Faye) head the cast, along with James Henriksen, who plays George’s brother, Leo.

A newcomer to the Valley Players, but not to the stage, Henriksen brings with him a wealth of experience in the theater, TV and movies from California, director Roberta Konen said.

Like Faye, Leo is unhappily married, “and the two fall into each other’s arms with hilarious results,” Konen said, including a memorable kissing scene in Act II that provides some very funny comic relief.

A two-tiered set adds interest to the production, along with costumes that reflect the fashions of the mid 1970s.

Konen said the biggest challenge in this play is the sheer volume of lines the actors needed to learn.

“There are lots of lines to learn, lots of work to do,” she said, noting that the cast rehearses three times per week for two months to prepare for the production.

The veteran director and actress said she loves Neil Simon’s work because “he writes for actors” and calls “Chapter Two” “a treasure.”

“We ask you to please come and join your neighbors as they laugh at some of Simon’s funniest dialogue and cheer for love when it comes alive on our very own West Center stage,” Konen said.

Kathy Engle is a freelance writer who lives in Amado. You can contact her at kdengle@earthlink.net.

IF YOU GO

What: “Chapter Two,” by Neil Simon.

When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Nov. 12-14), 7 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 15, 2 p.m. Tickets available at all major Green Valley Recreation centers.

Cost: $10 for GRV members; $12 for guests; $14 general public.

Information: 625-8070