Reprinted from the "NoHo>LA" November 13 - 26, 2003 Issue
Parked
By Michelle Malik
Some of the most lasting friendships are those forged sitting on a park bench, watching the kids grow up. Goddess Productions' latest show, Parked, is a tale of a friend triangle during the course of a year.
Three parents, whose lives get entangled as they protectively couch their kids on proper park-play etiquette, learn some life lessons themselves. Larry (Jeff Haas) is at the center of the platonic tryst, the sensitive man who is "tragically hip and female naïve." Annie (Candyce Columbus) is the all-knowing, one woman PTA who knows Larry almost as well as his wife does. She has shared some of then tender moments with him, including the time her daughter had to go to the hospital and Larry kept her company. She reads women's magazines for advice on everything from kids to dating, and jokes that they are guilty of "NSA," a no-sex-affair.
Lisa (Melissa Malone) is the new in town, overly peppy mom who attaches herself to Larry because of his warmth and their common obsession with classic films - her recipe for romance. When Lisa reveals her growing love for Larry, Annie realizes how much she values her best friend and fears she will lose him. Larry uses his sensitive wiles to maintain his most important friendship with grace.
Chuck Hand directs a terrific cast in this Rita Norton Mazza story of the delicate bonds of friendship. Catch this charming and contemporary production before it closes at the end of the month! See listing.