by April Helms

Special Products Editor

The curtain was raised on a new theater in downtown Cuyahoga Falls March 12.

Sean Derry and Alanna Romansky launched the none too fragile theatre with Paula Vogel's "How I Learned to Drive."

"It's kind of a double entendre," said Romansky of the name. "Our whole thing is, the audience and actors can't be too fragile. But when you are at your most vulnerable, that is when you do your best work. Sean and I have been through a lot in the past year, both professionally and personally. I think most people would have washed their hands of this. But we don't break easily."

Both Derry and Romansky were involved with The Bang and the Clatter, which had operated two theaters -- one in Akron and one in Cleveland -- before shutting both places down late last summer. Derry was co-artistic director of The Bang and the Clatter, along with Sean McConaha, and Romansky was both an actress and worked behind the scenes for many of the shows there.

"[Local businessman] Todd V came to us during 'Lady,' our last production at BNC," Derry said. "He said 'we can't afford to lose you guys, the artistry you bring to things and what you do.'"

Todd V, who produced the video segments for "How I Learned to Drive," was establishing an "indie box" space from a converted office area for singer / songwriters, improv and independent film screenings, Derry said.

"But he needed someone to anchor the space and call it home," Derry said. "We've known Todd for a couple of years now as a patron for BNC. He's just a really good person. He has a good heart."

Derry said he hopes the new theater can stage four or five works this year, including the inaugural show.

The current production

Derry said he had read "How I Learned to Drive" several years ago.

"Sean McConaha turned me on to Paula Vogel," Derry said. "I liked the play, but BNC only did Ohio premieres, and it had already been done. This plays is autobiographical and part of a trilogy. BNC staged one of the plays, 'The Long Christmas Ride Home.'"

The play centers on the dysfunctional and incestuous relationship between Li'l Bit, played by Romansky, and her Uncle Peck, played by Jeffrey Grover. The audience is introduced to other members of L'il Bit's family: her mother (played by Maryann Elder), her grandmother (played by Mary Jane Nottage), Uncle Peck's wife Aunt Mary (played by Wendi Ludlam Moses) and the grandfather (played by Jim Viront). Only Grover and Romansky are seen onstage; the others appear via a series of televised videos, where sometimes they interact with L'il Bit, and at other times they share their own thoughts and feelings. Through L'il Bit's memories, the audience sees just how dysfunctional the entire family is.

Also in the cast are William Martin as a waiter and Blue Green as a young man; both also appear in the video. Green also was the video editor and director of photography.

Traditionally, the roles outside of L'il Bit and Peck are done by an ensemble, a sort of "Greek chorus," said Derry.

"This makes it into more of a memory play," said Romansky. "It's more specific. We chose to separate the characters into specific people."

Derry said while the subject matter may be uncomfortable, it is one that needs to be addressed.

"It's a subject that is commonly shied away from," Derry said. "It's a controversial subject and rightfully so. But it still needs to be told."

Ticket and show information

The show runs through April 3.

Performances will be Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There will be one Thursday night performance on April 1 at 8 p.m. There will be no performance on Sunday, March 21.

All tickets are $17, or 'Pay As You Can' for all who need. For reservations, call 330-962-5547. Seating is limited, so reservations are recommended.

The none too fragile theatre is at 2125 Front St. in downtown Cuyahoga Falls, near the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center.

Next on stage

None too fragile will next stage "Romance" by David Mamet in early June.

E-mail: ahelms@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3153