Jobsite Presents 'Woman In Mind'

TAMPA - From the moment the lights come up on Jobsite Theater's production of 'Woman in Mind,' Ami Sallee Corley commands every viewer's undivided attention.

She is funny, riveting and relentless in her focus, and with the exception of a brief intermission, she never leaves the stage during the two-hour comedy by English playwright Alan Ayckbourn.

Corley plays Susan, a wife in a dull marriage who, after a bonk on the head, drifts in and out of a fantasy world where a doting husband lavishes her with care, a loving daughter gratefully seeks her attention and a goofy brother keeps everyone laughing with his good-natured jokes.

It's quite a contrast to her reality, where she feels trapped in an empty marriage, living with her vicar husband, Gerald (played by Jason Vaughan Evans), and his frumpy sister. Her only son has grown up and cut off all communication with her.

Kari Goetz keeps the crowd laughing as Susan's cranky sister-in-law, who competes for Gerald's attention. And Evans is convincing as a well-meaning know-it-all who has been telling the same stories for years.

Often Susan's 'two' families occupy the same stage, swirling around one another like cars on a carnival ride, giving viewers a taste of the dizziness in Susan's mind and leading them to wonder, 'Who can see who, here? What's real?'

David Jenkins' direction keeps the high-energy scenes engrossing rather than muddled and confusing.

At times, I found myself leaning forward in my seat, hoping to get swept further into the scene.

The show is not all chaos, though.

There is plenty of room in the script for touching scenes and intimate moments, such as those between Susan and her sweet but bumbling doctor, Bill, played by Shawn Paonessa. His awkwardness and concern (perhaps inappropriate at times) are endearing and believable.

Popular local actor Steve Garland plays Susan's fantasy husband, Andy. He proved his ability to portray prim Brits when he played Laurence Olivier in Gorilla Theatre's recent production of 'Orson's Shadow.'

In this show, he exaggerates some of those same mannerisms to create an over-the-top fantasy man who can't sit near his wife without touching her and making solemn vows of undying love.

The cast also includes Caitlin McDonald, Matt Lunsford and Stephen Ray.

'Woman in Mind' is a smart, well-acted show full of energy. Who knew the descent into madness could be so exhilarating?

THEATER REVIEW

Woman in Mind

WHAT: Jobsite Theater presents English playwright Alan Ayckbourn's comedy.

WHEN: Through June 24; 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Shimberg Playhouse, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa

TICKETS: $19.50 and $24.50; (813) 229-7827