Director Sam Fisher has an outstanding cast of four in “Handle with Care.” ERIN COHEN as Ayelet is a very animated and attractive, who obviously knows Hebrew and was very convincing with her words and the body language she used to communicate, mainly to Josh.
Josh is played by JASON COLLINS, who directed Theatre Jacksonville’s last play “Lombardi.” Collins, besides being an award winning director, is equally acknowledged as an actor, with many fine performances at all the community theatres in North Florida. He uses superb timing and facial gestures as he conveys the frustration of trying to communicate with someone when a language barrier exists.
THOMAS TRAUGER as Terrance, the dumber than dirt delivery man, gives Jacksonville audiences another example of his wonderful acting talents, especially when doing comedy. But then again he can do it all, and has done over 60 productions on local stages playing an infinite variety of characters. Trauger’s performance provides much of the comic relief and as an audience we could not wait to see what was going to come out of this mouth next. A talented director as well, Mr. Trauger will direct “The Subject was Roses” coming up on Theatre Jacksonville’s stage February 21, 2014.
The final member of the cast is SARAH BOONE, as Edna. Now we would have never considered her, at her age, the grandmother type but theatre being theatre, actors are sometimes called upon to stretch themselves. The Executive Director of Theatre Jacksonville, Ms. Boone did not try out for this role, but was pressed into service two days before the preview performance when a personal emergency required an actress to drop out. Ms. Boone was line perfect at the preview performance we saw and very believable as well. It was a surprise to realize what a grey wig and a pair of glasses can do to change personality. We do think she could add some lines to her face to add some age. Sarah has done a number of roles at TJ over the years, but is most noted for her vocal prowess in the “Happily Red” concert series she created as a fund raiser for TJ.
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