Theater review: 1 man, many characters, loads of charm

Matt Chiorini is either a brilliant actor or a villager on the Island of Multiple Personalities. In American Stage Theatre Company's After Hours production of "Fully Committed" - the euphemistic title of Becky Mode's one-man play - he performs every character in rapid-fire succession. We're not talking three or four or even five roles in 60 minutes. It's more like 40, each with his or her unique mannerisms, accents and personalities. For propriety's sake, let's assume he's a brilliant actor.

Chiorini's primary part is as Sam Peliczowski, a struggling actor who works at the reservations desk for an upscale restaurant. His co-worker is late, so he's manning the phones solo, which are ringing off the hook. Sam's job is not just about booking reservations; he puts out fires both in and out of the kitchen.

When he's not overbooking to please VIPs like Carolann Rosenstein Fishburn, a stereotypical Upper East Side grand dame, or Tyra Banks' assistant Bryce (or "Bryth for Mith Tyra"), he's dodging F-bombs from the prickly British chef. He's also got to appease the seating hostess and house manager, even if that means accepting messy bathroom duty that is not in his job description.

Personal calls interrupt, as well, putting an added stress on Sam. Fellow actor Jerry phones to brag about second callbacks. Dad pressures Sam to come home for Christmas - the first since Mrs. Peliczowski died - but he can't because he has to work over the holiday.

The cool thing about Sam is that he handles all of these situations affably - at least that's what he conveys through the receiver. He has a knack for pulling off deceptions, whether it's accepting bribes to secure a table, covering for an AWOL coworker or telling customers that the restaurant is "fully committed," which the chef insists he say instead of "booked solid."

By all appearances, Chiorini effortlessly conjured an entire community full of people, places and everyday things. He did such a good job defining each personality that it was easy to forget only one guy was on the stage. He was a riot as the histrionic Mrs. Sebag, whose reservation was inexplicably lost, and aptly tedious as the bespectacled, shaky old lady with a beef about the food.

There was an unexpected old-time radio quality to the production. The visuals helped to establish the storyline, but you could just as easily close your eyes and listen to get a full mental image of the service industry.

THEATER REVIEW

Fully Committed

WHEN: Through Dec. 20; 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

WHERE: American Stage Theatre Company at the Raymond James Theatre, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg; call (727) 823-7529 or visit www.americanstage.org

HOW MUCH: Pay what you can

RUN TIME: About 60 minutes