Curtain call: No drama

“Theatre2Film” follows over a dozen characters through mini-dramas that crosscut in real time. There’s a guy turning down financial help from his brother, feuding sisters, a guy in a dark dream world, etc. Things happen and people talk in “Theatre2Film” but, like “Seinfeld,” this is “a show about nothing.” Unlike “Seinfeld,” this play has no clear sense of tone, genre or defined story arcs. That is not to say “Theatre2Film” needs to follow conventional Hollywood framing devices like a “romantic comedy” or “melo drama,” but a two-and-a-half hour story without any frame at all leaves the audience feeling lost.

Part of the problem may be the sheer number of writers. CJ Valle and Mark Colson are credited with writing the “themes and basic storylines,” but 17 other names all have at least some credit in the writing process. Actors speak in dialogue that barely moves the plot and tells audiences little about characters, as if no one could agree on what the show should be about.

It’s a shame, because “Theatre2Film” employs really fine actors who perform excellent naturalistic acting. Kirill Sheynerman and Kate Maggart shine as a feuding coffee shop customer and hostess, and Dan Inglese and Beau Bielski give standout performances as feuding brothers. The actors provide their select scenes with honest, interpersonal chemistry. You want to root for these characters so badly, but chemistry alone does not give audiences a way to connect to their story. The characters are never put in peril or given moral decisions to navigate, save for a few exceptions. They’re just there, talking to other people. It’s so naturalistic that it’s downright dull.

To their credit, the writers stick with realistic, local situations instead of trying to fabricate a mafia plot into a small-town setting. But the mish-mash of different voices turns into a muddled din instead of an intricate harmonic chorus. Sure it’s all original and local, but it’s not very interesting.

“Theatre2Film Project”

Studio 60 Theatre (basement of the MSU Auditorium) 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 & Thursday, Feb. 5; 8:00pm Friday, Feb. 6 & Saturday, Feb. 7; 2:00pm Saturday, Feb. 7 & Sunday, Feb. 8. $10 (517) 353-1982, whartoncenter.com