By Pamela A. Zinkosky
The Tipping Point Theatre’s “The Love List” is a versatile comedy – equally entertaining for those with love lists of their own as for those who’ve already fulfilled theirs. The intimate Northville theatre made a fine choice in this Norm Foster play, which runs through Feb. 19 and is directed by Lynn Lammers.
Three characters carry the entire play — the divorced 50-year-old statistician Bill, played by Dave Davies; the carefree and lusty novelist Leon, played by Wayne David Parker and Justine, the woman of Bill’s dreams, played by Tina Gloss-Finnell. Each character is entirely believable, and the small cast interacts well enough to keep the audience engaged.
On the evening of Bill’s fiftieth birthday, Leon coaxes Bill into making a list of 10 most important qualities in a mate, which he plans to give to “the gypsy woman” at a local dating service. When Justine shows up at his apartment door, acting like a long-time lover, Bill is suspicious but plays along. But when Leon and Bill start erasing list qualities and adding others, Justine’s behavior becomes even stranger, and the two realize they’re creating a woman, a la Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.”
The action plays out entirely in Bill’s apartment, and in fact, Bill realizes, his dream woman exists only in his apartment. That revelation comes with its fair share of humor, as Bill repeatedly tries to “catch” Justine in the apartment hallway after she exits, and Leon shows up at the apartment door seconds after Justine has exited, dumbfounded that he didn’t run into her.
The play’s simplicity, combined with the Tipping Point Theatre’s intimate setting (100 or fewer seats surround the stage, with some viewers sitting a foot or less away from the action), make “The Love List” what it is: a fun comedy that appeals to all ages.
What’s more, even in its humor, it raises some serious questions. What would happen if you really could dictate your mate’s qualities? What is “perfection” in a mate? Are you sure you want what you think you want?
“The Love List” plays through Feb. 19 at The Tipping Point Theatre, 361 East Cady Street in Northville. Show times are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $28 to $30 for adults and $26 to $28 for students and senior citizens. For tickets, visit www.tippingpointtheatre.com or call (248) 347-0003.