Promising script of 'Friction' would be better suited elsewhere

By Jaimie Winkler

Daily Arts Writer

The storyline of "Science Friction," with a little help, could be a real winner - but not for the stage.

Its science fiction-romance roots are better suited for film or television. This play treats alien abduction like a natural disaster, complete with a gun-toting school teacher who sheds her shell to overdose on cussing. But like natural disasters, alien stories provide better material for the screen where special effects allow audiences to see the action rather than hear allusions to it.

The latest in the Ann Arbor-based Performance Network's summer Tree Town Festival, which focuses on local talent, "Friction" was written by Joseph Zettelmaier whose previous credits include contributing writer on the Purple Rose Theater's Outreach Project "Talk to Me." Zettelmaier originally created this less than two hour, two act stage play as the one act "Random Acts of Love and Science Fiction," which was workshopped at Otterbein College in Ohio.

In this story, a support group for alien abductees gathers for their weekly meeting. A strange, new member poses some problems to the group's security and a romance eventually rises from the ashes. But is it science fiction (as the first three-fourths of the play suggests) or a love story (as it finally turns out to be)?

The script has potential, and at times it is very funny and audience pleasing. The remarkably creative and original love story that emerges between Kim (Annie Palmer) and Bob (David Wolber), if brought to the forefront of the script, could be wonderful. Zettelmaier has devised an interesting way for them to first meet and for Bob to declare his undying devotion.

The action may have fared better in a movie because at times the dialogue needs a break (enter film special effects). That's not to say the stage gets boring. Director Dana White has flawlessly directed the actors and created a wonderful space, the classroom where they have meetings. But by the time the love story emerges it seems like a device to expand the play to full length rather than the play's crux.

The actors, who are believable until they stumble over their lines, present a confusing message to the audiences. Part of this is written into the script. The characters are stereotyped: one takes psychiatric medication, another reads the "Weekly World News" (just for fun) and they discuss which "Star Trek" spin-off is the best.

Kim (Annie Palmer), Charlie (Nick Barnes) and Bob (David Wolber) play true-to-life characters. People who talk and act like your friends and neighbors, as opposed to the two-dimensional characters in parodies or farces. This induces audience sympathy and presents the play as having a message about these social castaways.

Ray (Patrick Moug) and Ms. Kane (Zehra Berkman) play caricatures. They are two-dimensional representations, composite characters that trigger the audience to see the play's purpose as more entertaining and comedic. Ray is the hard-talking paranoid who's always checking for hidden devices and has little else on his mind. Ms. Kane is the fourth-grade teacher who can't separate herself from the classroom. Even when there is real violent drama on stage, she's still calling for a "time out."

Once "Science Friction" figures out what it wants to be and finds its proper medium, it could attract a cult following as big as any other science fiction or bizarre romance.

"Science Friction" runs August 3-13 at the Performance Network. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $12 for general admission and $9 for students and seniors. Thursdays are "pay what you can." For more information or to make reservations, call (734)663-0681.

Courtesy of Performance Network

Patrick Moug (clockwise from top left), David Wolber, Nick Barnes and Annie Palmer play alien-abduction support group members in 'Science Friction.'