By Shari Barrett
No matter the circumstances of abuse, be it physical, emotional, or mental, its long-lasting effects on the human psyche can manifest itself in similar and often disruptive ways. Such is the case in Parallel Process, a gripping new drama written and directed by David Kohner Zuckerman as a visiting production at the Odyssey Theatre, about two estranged Vietnam veteran brothers – Dennis, a respected clinical psychologist working with clients suffering the effects of abuse, and Bobby, a former District Attorney – who are reunited decades after serving together in Vietnam.
Bobby’s unexpected arrival at his brother’s home in Los Angeles forces them to confront the brutal childhood and wartime trauma they’ve long buried, along with a devastating shared secret that could shatter the life Dennis has built. As the night unfolds, their reunion becomes a tense battle of wills, peeling back layers of guilt, betrayal, and the moral injuries that still bleed fifty years after the war. And at the same time, Dennis must deal with a patient on a violent journey to seek revenge against his abusive stepmother.
We first meet Dennis (Alan McRae) as he chats with his patient Amanda (Anabella Raye) about her dreams of committing violence against a lumberjack who she feels has sexually abused her in her imagination. The good doctor responds, “what’s wrong with having a fantasy about violence?” Thus, we are set up for what is to follow as parallel situations evolve, either as the result of taking physical revenge against abuse, or attempting to apologize for it to those harmed.
A side-by-side, dual-room set design by Carter Stark allows Dennis to walk between his living room meetings with his brother Bobby (Tom Jenkins), a former district attorney who has seen the results of abuse reach into the courtroom, and into his home office on the other side where his young patient Sam (Vincent Gumbs) seeks his help to avoid taking violent revenge against childhood abuse. Tensions rise in both rooms as Dennis (McRae) is faced with two men of different generations who have chosen to deal with abuse suffered in two very distinct ways with one seeking forgiveness and the other pursuing violent revenge.
Dennis and Bobby served in Vietnam together in 1968 and witnessed more violence against innocent people than any human being should. While Dennis has put those memories in the past and moved on by marrying Colleen (Tanja Gartner) and setting up his practice in their home, Bobby has turned to the church to deal with a haunting memory of a murder committed by the brothers in Vietnam. But while Bobby is ready to share the truth with the victim’s surviving family, Dennis fears doing so will cause him to lose his medical license. Either way, their lives will be changed forever.
And what about his patient Sam (Gumbs), just out of rehab and off his meds? At first, he just seems to be depressed about his “evil” stepmother re-marrying to increase her social status, especially after abusing him during his formative years. But as his appointments move on during the day, Sam becomes more unhinged and vows to take revenge against her for ruining his life. Then he takes off in the middle of a session.
So, when Detective Peterson (Peter Zizzo) shows up amid ongoing sirens to ask Dennis if he knows where his patient might be, Dennis has another tough choice to make – tell the truth or claim doctor/patient confidentially? But it’s not until Sam rushes in frightened about his upcoming arrest and pulls a gun on Dennis that the real parallel process of channeling negative emotions takes center stage. All three men are amazing in this confrontational scene, each thoroughly absorbed into the mental and physical arguments as they surface. But what kind of decision will the brothers make in its aftermath? Tell the truth or lie to protect themselves once again?
Lighting design by Michael Blendermann and sound design by Jack Sherman highlight both the soft as well as incredibly intense scenes, packing a real wallop into just 75 minutes!
Premiering during the 50th anniversary of America’s involvement in the Vietnam War, Parallel Process producer Reed Altman channels his father’s M*A*S*H legacy into a riveting Vietnam War drama, written and directed by David Kohner Zuckerman at the Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in West Los Angeles 90025 through November 2 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. $39 reserved seating with a percentage of the proceeds to be donated to Vietnam Veterans of America. For more information and tickets, visit www.ParallelProcessThePlay.com, call the box office at call (310) 477-2055 x2, or email boxoffice@odysseytheatre.com.
The primary focus of The Binge Free Festival is on Santa Monica and Los Angeles-based artists, but there will be exciting artists from near and far on view as well during the five weeks of free performances, workshops, and music in Santa Monica’s only fringe festival celebrating the range and depth of the human condition and the idea that theatre arts experiences are vital, transformative, and must be available for all. There are no limits or boundaries with shows that range in style from classic comedy to poignant drama, from Shakespearian to one-woman-shows, from slam poetry to stand-up comedy and improv, from parody to fairytale. The BFF also includes an overflowing toy-box of family-friendly events and productions to bring all generations together on and off the stage, including theatre arts workshops for youth and adults throughout the festival.
All BFF performances take place October 14 through November 16 at Santa Monica Playhouse, located at 1211 Fourth Street (just south of Wilshire) in Santa Monica 90401. There is a pay-to-park municipal parking facility across the street or metered street parking available. All tickets and admissions to every single BFF event are FREE to the public, but reservations are required for all in-person events for guaranteed seats. Each reservation is limited to 4 tickets per show. Some shows will also be live-streamed for free and will not require advanced reservations – a good way to watch any live performances you might have missed. For the BFF performance schedule and to reserve your free tickets to in-person events or free links to watch offered shows via live-stream, visit http://SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com.
Please note if the show you are interested in is sold out, there are always some seats available just prior to show time. Please arrive at the Santa Monica Playhouse 30 minutes prior to its start time and add your name to the wait list at the box office. Any seats that have not been picked up prior to show time will be given out in the order you signed the wait list.
The Binge Free Festival is presented through generous grants from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, the City of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Arts Commission, the We Are Santa Monica Fund, and Playhouse PALS.
