I Ought To Be In Pictures – Act II Playhouse

Tony Braithwaite and Jessica Riloff as Herb and Libby. Photo by Bill D'Agostino.

By Amanda VanNostrand.

Act II Playhouse in Ambler, PA is currently host to Neil Simon’s charming show I Ought To Be In Pictures, playing now through March 31st. A feel-good story that effectively allows the audience to travel back in time (1980) to escape into the characters’ reality for a while, I Ought To Be In Pictures contains all the makings of a great night out.

I Ought To Be In Pictures brings to life loss and regret while revealing the most endearing parts of its characters. Libby (Jessica Riloff) is a sweet, confident, naive 19-year-old. From Brooklyn, she travels to West Hollywood in search of her father Herb (Tony Braithwaite), who abandoned her at the age of 3. Upon her arrival, Libby meets Steffy (Tracie Higgins), Herb’s girlfriend. (Actually, if they had Facebook accounts in the 80s, their relationship status would definitely read ‘It’s Complicated’.) Herb quickly acquires a list of seemingly impossible tasks: becoming a father to his daughter and healing the wounds he single-handedly (and unintentionally) inflicted on her; writing something adequate enough to gain the attention of the right people in Hollywood; being the man that Steffy both hopes and waits around for; and learning to forgive himself for having abandoned his family from an earlier life. As Libby wins the affection of her father she learns about the intentions that even she did not realize she held in her quest to California. The three characters are real and well presented: they are simultaneously flawed and encouraged by the lives they have led, simply working on making their lives their own (while attempting to fit in with each-other).

Pristine acting envelops this production. From beginning to end, between Riloff’s convincing Brooklyn accent to the sloppy, awkward father-figure of Braithwaite to Higgins’s nurturing demeanor, the audience is convinced and entranced with this story brought to life by these three talent-filled actors. They carry the comedy of their lines and the harshness of their parts to the story in just the right manner, delivering great theater. Combine their acting with the scenic design (Parris Bradley has created the perfect 80s bungalow) and it will certainly take you back, making this show purely authentic and enjoyable.

I Ought To Be In Pictures is entirely compelling and brings to life realities experienced by many. A viewing of this production is a meaningful, entertaining experience.

 

Advisory: Adult content
Running Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission
I Ought To Be In Pictures will be playing at Act II Playhouse until March 31st, 2018. The theater is located at 56 E. Butler Ave. Ambler, PA. For tickets contact the box office at (215) 654-0200 or click here.