The James Logan Courier

By Jamie Maxfield, Courier Staff Writer

"Talking With", written by Jane Martin, is a great play that allows us to get into the character's minds. This all female cast performed four nights in a row, from December 6th to December 9th.

There were nine monologues ranging from a woman talking about her mother's dying days, to a woman who is obsessed with McDonald's. Each of the cast members really got into character and they all picked out their own costumes that went along perfectly with their part.


The stage was set up with nine different environments formed in a semi‑circle where the cast sat on stage. One by one the spotlight would shine on a different character as we leaned a bit about their lives and listened to the story they had to tell.

Here is a bit about each individual piece:

"15 Minutes", was played by Jenna Valdespino, who was an actress in the 15 minutes before show time as expresses her emotions on being someone's entertainment. She feels like she is putting herself on stage where everyone knows a bit about her, but wants to get to know the audience the way that they know her so they are all on an equal level.

"Scraps", played by Courier Entertainment Editor Rebecca Soltau on Thursday and Saturday, and played by Sarah Gallegos on Friday and Sunday was about a woman who wanders into the world of Oz in her mind, though her husband disapproves of it. She tries to hide it from him, though every time he leaves the house she puts on her scraps and takes a trip to Oz.

"Clear Glass Marbles", played by Megan Villanueva on Thursday and Saturday, and played by Jowell Gallegos on Friday and Sunday, was the story told by a woman remembering her mother's final days, and the way her mother would always have a jar of clear glass marbles by her side to make the days go slower.

"Audition" was played by Maryam Qudus, who was an energetic woman that may be a bit insane, goes in for an audition with her cat in hand. She desperately wants this part and even threatens the life of her cat in order to keep the directors watching.

"Rodeo", played by Nadin Choufi on Thursday and Saturday, and played by Joyce Hather on Friday and Sunday was about a cowgirl that tells her story of how the ranches are being taken over by
people that only want to make money, as the true meaning of the rodeo is being forgotten.

"Lamps" was played by Monica Pelcastre, who is an overly obsessive woman when it comes to lights and the way the heat feels on her hands.

"Handler" was played by Kristen Nicole Dattolico, as a young girl who is taught that she will never be killed by a snake as long as she believes in God, and she tells of her story with snake handling. She discovers that she doesn't exactly believe in God the way her father does, but she has something to believe in and that is what keeps her safe.

"French Fries" was played by Jennifer Lee, who was a woman that could spend all day in a McDonald's because that is where everyone is friendly and people are always safe there. There is nothing she would like to do more than live in a McDonald's, especially after she claims that a Big Mac saved a man's life.

"Marks" was played by Karen Lopez, was a woman had been living a dull life and nobody really noticed her until one day a man approached her and cut her, leaving a scar on her cheek. From that point on there was something noticeable about her and people began to see her and talk to
her, and that is when she was finally able to live a full life.

Said Rebecca Soltau,who played "Scraps", "I had tons of fun working on the play! We [the cast] were our own little family for a couple months, and I'm glad that I got to experience this before I leave for college."

Courier Opinion Editor David Collins, senior, who attended the play, said "It was very enjoyable and it was a great change of pace [since it was an entirely female cast]. It was an iconic performance, and it was damn good!"

I really enjoyed the play, especially "Audition," and "Marks". While many people might think it would be a bit boring when they hear this play does not have one big plot, but simply nine
people talking about their separate lives, they are wrong because these actresses really keep
you hooked. The cast kept the audience interested with a range of emotions from depressing to humorous.