LEFT TO RIGHT: Tim Redmond, Brian Trybom and Deb Fink in “Pitch Perfect,” at the Berkeley City Club through Aug. 18.
Jim Norrena photo

By Elizabeth Warnimont
Special to The Herald

Central Works, a Berkeley ensemble that produces new plays for local audiences, is currently staging “Pitch Perfect” by Martin Edwards, an inside look at the ad biz through the lens of a struggling advertising company in present-day Los Angeles. The play is funny in parts, but unfortunately the parts don’t come together into a cohesive whole.

Maggie Mason is excellent as Caitlin, the agency’s sole remaining clerical support staff. She is bright and energetic, and finely tuned to the action. Mason carries the comedy well, but unfortunately she can’t do it all by herself.

Actors’ Equity Association member Deb Fink is also sharp as Maggie, estranged wife to idea-man Roger (Tim Redmond). Fink creates a character that is engaging to watch, just mysterious enough that it’s never entirely clear where her motivations lie.

It’s too bad the women’s male counterparts can’t match them in strength.

Redmond is so relaxed as Roger that he lacks sufficient energy to carry the comedy of his situation. Roger is neither witty nor adorably pathetic, just plain sleepy, dressed in faded blue jeans and a rumpled shirt to match his hair.

DEB FINK as Maggie in “Pitch Perfect,” showing in Berkeley through Aug. 18.
Jim Norrena photo

Brian Trybom is also weak as money-man Bob. He is unkempt for a business executive, lacking polish in his unassuming suit. Nor does Bob appear personally tormented by some disturbing news he receives from his doctor. Through it all, Bob remains nervous and excitable but emotionally disconnected.

Some of the twists that are thrown into the story don’t ever seem to resolve or connect. For example, at one point creative talent Roger builds a sleep-in fort behind the office couch and stuffed-shirt Bob ends up trying it out one night — but the experience has no discernible effect on either of them. Even Bob’s sobering medical diagnosis doesn’t seem to affect his priorities or his actions.

The framework for the play seems wide open for comedic opportunity: Caitlin has romantic designs on Roger but doesn’t realize that he is actually still married; company exec Bob doesn’t realize that the woman he fired (Roger’s wife Maggie) was the real talent behind the company’s past winning campaigns; and Roger is trying to fool all of them in an ill-conceived plan to salvage his career and what’s left of the business. But the lack of strong male characters keeps the comedy in the story from shining through. There is a striking contrast in energy between the women and the men and as a result, the plot lacks cohesion and the comedy is uneven.

Central Works has produced some first-rate plays, always fresh and memorable and often the recipients of distinctive awards. “Pitch Perfect” may be new and different, but it feels unfinished, as if the author had much to say about the advertising world but couldn’t quite decide on the best bits to tie together to obtain the most thoughtful and entertaining result.

If You Go
“Pitch Perfect” continues at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley through Aug. 18. Tickets are $20 to $28 and are available by calling 510-558-1381 or online at centralworks.org.

Elizabeth Warnimont is a freelance writer specializing in the performing arts. She is also a substitute teacher for the Benicia Unified School District.

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