Written and directed by Jeff Gould and produced by Shelby Janes, THE MARRIAGE ZONE is an uproarious tale about the stages of marital bliss – or otherwise – told by an author who clearly knows how to make – and keep making – people laugh until their sides split. The current show is the fourth in a series of Gould comedies exploring the dynamics of relationships between men and women (“Troubled Waters,” “It’s Just Sex,” “Is There Sex after Marriage,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Divorce,” and “Love, Sex, and Misery”). THE MARRIAGE ZONE takes an unexpected and fascinating twist in the war between the sexes.
Kelly DeSarla, Dylan Bowers, and Anthony Backman – Photo by Morgan Benson
Just about to enter middle age, Cal (Anthony Backman) and Beth (Kelly Desarla) are selling their house – even though Cal has some misgivings about the effects the move might have on their finances and stress levels. Enter Skip (Ben Scattone) and Ellie (Shelly Snellman), a rapturously in-love engaged couple who are in the market for their first home. To complete the sextet, Mike (Corbin Timbrook) and Liz (Tudi Roche) unexpectedly stop by to take a peek at the house, now on the market, where they began their married life years ago. The three couples really hit it off – until they begin to see parallels in their lives. Maybe too many parallels. Clearly far too many parallels.
Kelly DeSarla, Anthony Backman, Tudi Roche, and Corbin Timbrook – Photo by Morgan Benson
Jeff Gould has an uncanny feel for how marriages may change over the years; he also has the unbridled talent to take these subtle changes and turn them into hysterical situations which mimic real life just a little too closely. Both his writing and his directing reflect these creative aptitudes, honed to a fine point in THE MARRIAGE ZONE.
Kelly DeSarla, Anthony Backman, Ben Scattone, and Shelly Snellman – Photo by Morgan Benson
The talented ensemble cast also has a handle on how to convey these rollicking happenings while constantly tickling the audience’s funny bones. The play is dual cast; the actors sited in the review are the cast members who performed on the night of the review. THE MARRIAGE ZONE is a marriage in two senses: it is a cunning cautionary tale about the institution of marriage, and it is also a marriage of very funny material and comedic acting to produce a brilliant whole. One audience member commented after the closing curtain, “That was really funny…and it was also so true.”
Shelly Snellman, Ben Scattone, Corbin Timbrook, Kelly DeSarla, and Anthony Backman – Photo by Morgan Benson
Andrew Backman’s set is simple but adequate – for it is the actors’ words and actions that draw the audience in. Selena Price’s lighting and Tina Walsch’s sound also play an important role in the proceedings as “twilighty” events begin to occur. The audience should remember that “You are traveling to another dimension: a dimension of sight and sound and imagination.” Rod Serling is probably smiling from somewhere up there as he watches the play – or perhaps we should say he’s chuckling, giggling, and even guffawing with gusto. If you’re into comedy, relationships, or just feel like thoroughly enjoying the evening, THE MARRIAGE ZONE is for you.
THE MARRIAGE ZONE runs through August 31, 2025, with performances at 8 p.m. on Saturdays and at 3 p.m. on Sundays. The Sky Pilot Theatre Company performs at 905 Cole Theatre, 905 Cole Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90038. Tickets are $40. For information and reservations, go online.
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