‘Private Eyes’ Offers ‘A Comedy of Suspicion’ at Pierson Playhouse

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Performances of Steven Dietz’s “Private Eyes” are now underway at Pierson Playhouse through Sunday, December 15—which offers “a comedy of suspicion” to dive into deeper themes, like marriage and an affair.

Presented by Theatre Palisades, the play is directed by Michael Keith Allen, and produced by Martha Hunter and Sherman Wayne. Lighting design is by Wayne, with Susan Stangl for sound design and Maria Pavone as stage manager.

The five-member cast features Erin Galloway in the role of Matthew (an actor and husband of Lisa), Cara Kluver as Lisa (Matthew’s wife and an actress), Richard Conolly as Adrian (the director of the play Matthew and Lisa are performing in), Nikki Marie as Cory (a woman the audience first meets as a waitress) and Richard Osborn as Frank (the therapist).

“Matthew believes his wife, Lisa, is having an affair with Adrian,” read a synopsis provided by Theatre Palisades. “Or is he just imagining it? Or is it actually a play they are rehearsing? Or is it something to keep his therapist entertained? The twists and turns keep coming, as the audience is left to determine, what is actually true in this self-styled ‘relationship thriller’?”

The two-act play is set in an American city in the 1990s, with the set designed to interchange between three locations: a rehearsal studio, restaurant and therapist’s office.

In order to follow along the story that is being weaved, it is best to come to this play with plans to pay full attention. At first, the audience believes they’re watching an audition, then it shifts to a rehearsal.

As the non-linear story continues, switching between rehearsals, the restaurant and Matthew speaking (and lying) to his therapist Frank, the only thing that is apparent is how unreliable its narrators are—with Frank speaking to the audience in an attempt to clear things up.

“The first time I read this play I was happily surprised by its humor, depth and truth,” Allen wrote in the Director’s Notes. “It is best described by the author, Steven Dietz, himself: ‘The play at its core is about the fear of loss. The low-level panic of two people, alone, looking in each other’s eyes, with nowhere to run. Nothing between them but distance. Nothing awaiting them but time.’”

Dietz goes on to say that a play about lies “must be a comedy, because only laughter can make us recognize truths we’re not fond of.”

It is not easy to take on the role of a deeply flawed, but very human character, but the five actors featured in the play make it look natural. As the plot unravels and more truths are revealed, the characters have to face some highly emotional moments, all of which they tackle and make believable, even while facing a convoluted storyline.

The role of Matthew marked Galloway’s Theatre Palisades debut—and what an introduction to the Pierson Playhouse stage it was. His frustration with the situation between Adrian and his wife Lisa is palpable—the emotions he exudes from start to finish made for a memorable performance.

Kluver is no stranger to Theatre Palisades—prior to taking on the role of Lisa, Kluver has been seen as Kay Strange in “Towards Zero” and Nikki Crandall in “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.” For audience members who have seen Kluver in the previous roles, one thing is clear: Kluver has a wide range, which is made especially apparent through this most recent role.

Conolly—who has been part of two previous Theatre Palisades productions—does a good job of playing into the role of a dislikeable director, with a character who seems to have not done a lot of growing or self-reflection, even at the end of the play.

Marie and Osborn tackle their respective roles well—there’s not too much to write without giving away the twisty plot—especially when it comes to the second act.

For the actual theater-going experience, the set, designed by Allen, is uniquely crafted to suit the needs of the three locations featured. By simply moving around a few pieces of furniture, the audience is transported from space to space seamlessly. It also is an immersive experience, with the actors using different spaces near the audience’s seats throughout the play, which keeps things interesting and attention rapt.

Performances will continue on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m., as well as Sundays at 2 p.m., through December 15 at Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Road. Tickets are $22 for general admission, or $20 for students and seniors.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theatrepalisades.org.