The year is 1855. The place, Boston, where the slightest infraction between gentlemen was grounds for a challenge to be resolved with pistols. It was commonly known as a duel and it usually left one of the participants dead.
Even though this is a period piece, playwright John Pollen has given it a ‘2017’ feel. The play is smart, funny and insightful. The fact that the slightest infractions between gentlemen was grounds for a challenge to be resolved with pistols, and the ridiculous idea of sticking to the rules at all costs, is a great commentary on modern culture and politics in the 21st century.
Matthew Elkins plays mild mannered Nathanial ‘Wings’ Leeds who suffers from what we would now call OCD. When Wings is challenged to a duel by the most dangerous man in Boston, Walter Brown (Jamie Harris) he enlists the aid of a renowned duelist, who just happens to be his estranged brother, James (Josh Helman) – to the consternation of their mother, Martha (Amy Brenneman) who harbors secrets from her past. Deep family tensions and old rivalries resurface and of course, blood is spilled.
“Rules of Seconds” directed by Obie Award winner, Joe Bonney, does a wonderful job with his excellent cast, which includes Joshua Bitton, Ron Bottita, Leandro Cano, Feodor Chin, Damu Malik and Jennifer Pollen making this a must see play.
“Rules of Seconds” is part of The Temblors, a collective of seven diverse and acclaimed Los Angeles-based playwrights dedicated to shaking up local theatre by debuting original world premiere plays at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, located at Tom Bradley Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013.
The play opened on March 23 and runs through April 15. The remaining performances are: Thursdays at 8pm, April 6 and 13; Fridays at 8pm, April 7, 14; Saturdays at 8pm, April 8, 15 and Sundays at 3pm, April 9. To purchase tickets call 866-811-4111 or go to http://thelatc.org/ Ticket prices are $22-52.
