“Chapter Two” theater review

If you can remember when a paperback spy novel cost $4.95 and when telephones had dials and long cords, you are the right vintage for Neil Simon's 1977 play "Chapter Two."

But you don't have to be that well-seasoned to appreciate the reliable humor and stinging pain with which Simon infused this semi-autobiographical comedy.

Standing in for the playwright is George Schneider, a successful New York-based writer who pens the aforementioned spy novels for money and the occasional serious novel for artistic satisfaction. In his mid-40s, he has just lost his perfect, beloved wife of 12 years and is bereft.

His brother, Leo, a brash theatrical press agent, is already urging him to date, passing on the phone number of Jennie, a newly divorced actress. There's some witty phone repartee, and then the two meet, and all is magic.

Scarcely believing that great love can strike twice in a lifetime, George rushes Jennie into marriage, and the predictable consequence is a less-than-blissful honeymoon. Only upon their return do George and Jennie begin to ask the painful questions and hear the lacerating answers that make it possible for them to start to know each other.

This well-realized Chamberlayne Actors Theatre production joins Hanover Tavern's "I Ought to Be in Pictures" to make a Simon festival in Richmond.

As excellent as the "Chapter Two" script is, it takes skill to interweave comedy and pathos, and director Jeff Clevenger succeeds. With terrific lighting by Brittany Diliberto, well-chosen costumes by Sheryle Criswell and a beautiful set by Eric Kinder that encompasses two New York apartments, the details are just right (except, maybe, the plastic box for George's boutonniere), and as always, Buddy Bishop's choices for background music add greatly to the atmosphere.

The cast of four is delightful. Frank Creasy easily shows George's intelligence and longing; we can see the pain of his loss and the ecstasy of his new love, his guilt and his fear. As Jennie, Carroll Andrews is charming and lovable, smart and brave, though lacking the sparkle she's supposed to have.

Art Trotter is surprisingly believable as roguish Leo. With his laid-back affect, his ability to make the character real is refreshing. And Jennifer Frank is hilarious as Jennie's nutty actress friend, Faye, an extreme character who generates lots of laughs.

Susan Haubenstock is a Henrico County-based freelance writer and editor. She can be contacted at .