Time Stands Still is Current, Timeless

By John Farrell

Time Stands Still is a fable of our times, a fable of our times set in New York.

The play gives a knowing view of how war affects lives, even if that war is at a distance and even if the people involved are reporters and not soldiers.

Written by Donald Margulies, Time Stands Still looks at the lives of four people, two couples, whose lives are torn by the Iraq war played out in a single apartment in Manhattan. The experience, in a different light, could happen in Los Angeles under different circumstances.

James Dodd (Richard Perloff) is bringing his partner Sarah Goodwin (Karen Harrison) home from the hospital. Sarah has been injured in a bomb attack and needs help getting around. She also is recovering from the post-traumatic stress. Her agent Richard Ehrlich (Tony Cicchetti) wants to help, but bringing along his new girlfriend Mandy Bloom (Dana Pollack,) half his age, doesn’t help. James and Karen aren’t married, but they decide they should make up for lost time, especially as Mandy has a baby and she and Richard are very happy.

Things don’t turn out the way they should. Sarah has a secret that changes her life, and James’ as well, a secret that is about the war and her coverage of it. The play is ostensibly about that war and the two main characters’ work in that war. But it is really about the clash of ambition and love, and how that works itself out. Director Patrick Vest keeps the play simple and effective: the words get the big emphasis, and you’ll think about this play long after you’ve seen it.

Tickets are $27 and $24 for seniors. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through Sept. 6 with a matinee Sunday, Aug. 23 at 2 p.m.

Details: (310) 512-6030; www.littlefishtheatre.org

Venue: Little Fish Theatre

Location: 777 Centre St., San Pedro