Theater Review: All in the Timing

LIV ROOTH, MATTHEW SALDIVAR, ERIC CLEM, CARSON ELROD and JENN HARRIS in the PRIMARY STAGES 20th anniversary production of ALL IN THE TIMING. photo © 2013 James Leynse.

All in the Timing
By David Ives
Directed by John Rando
Primary Stages

What’s It All About?
Well, it’s all about the timing, Six one-act comedies are presented by the ensemble cast of Eric Clem, Carson Elrod, Jenn Harris, Liv Rooth and Matthew Saldivar on a sharply raked and angled set decorated with stripes and clocks (Beowulf Boritt, design).

"Sure Thing" is a sketch where the outcome of a meeting between a man and woman changes as often as the conversation.
"Words, Words, Words" follows three chimps with typewriters. The researchers watch as they hope one of them will suddenly type out Hamlet.
"The Universal Language" offers lessons in Unamunda, a quirky new language designed to bring the nations -- and one particular couple -- together.
"Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread" is a surreal experience in a bakery.
"The Philadelphia" gives new meaning to having a good or bad day.
"Variations on the Death of Trotsky" is, well, exactly what it says.

What are the Highlights?
Really funny, quirky little sketches that surprise and delight. Direction by John Rando is sharp and the cast shows they really do know about timing. The quick dialogue and witty humor is delivered perfectly and all of the actors get a workout delivering ranges of emotion and character.

The "Universal Language" vignette particularly was funny with Elrod spewing out dialogue that sounds enough like English so you get the gist, but which includes a variety of accents and rapid-fire plays on words that make it much more difficult to speak, I'm sure.

What are the Lowlights?
None. Well done and totally entertaining.

More information:
All in the Timing runs at Primary Stages, 59 East 59th St., NYC through April 14. Performances are Performances are Wednesday at 7 pm, Friday at 8 pm, and Saturday at 2 and 8 pm. Tickets: 212-279-4200; http://primarystages.org/allinthetiming.

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