Cal and Beth are selling their home. They’re visited by Skip and Ellie, an engaged couple, very much in love who are eager to buy their first home. They’re joined by Mike and Liz, apparently a couple of lookie-loos who decided to drop by and take a peek at the house for sale. The three couples get to chatting and begin to marvel at just how much they have in common. WAY too much in common, in fact. So much in common that it begins to become surreal. You are traveling to another dimension: A dimension of sight and sound and imagination. You are entering….The Marriage Zone.
The Marriage Zone
Critics
LemonMeter
Reviews: 16
Audience
LemonMeter
Reviews: 6
Reviews
The double-cast production skillfully navigates moments of perplexity and clarity with appropriate elicitations of laughter and empathy...
In “The Marriage Zone,” the clever and astute relatability of the three couples to not just each other, but to audiences at the Santa Monica Playhouse, is a testament to Jeff Gould and a cast that has successfully realized his vision. Most productions gloss over the components that make or break relationships, but in “The Marriage Zone,” the many nuances that make up spousal satisfaction are explored through the lens of dramatic love, irony, absurdity, sheer hilarity, and can't-miss creativity.
Not to mislead you, Gould's dialogue and direction (and the rest of the pro cast) keep the evening fresh and briskly moving through the 90-something minute performance without an intermission. It's an intimate evening, a stolen moment of fun and ‘what if's.
Although I went to the play hoping for some badly needed laughs, I was sadly disappointed. Very little that happened on stage tickled my funny bone. I simply sat there wondering why the play wasn't working for me, feeling more bewildered and disappointed by the moment.
Jeff Gould keeps the action fast-paced... The production is handsomely mounted and I appreciated the preshow music, which hinted at what was to come with music from eras appropriate to the three couples... See it while you can.
First time attending a play in the Santa Monica Playhouse and so glad I did it. The Marriage Zone was hilarious, made me think and the cast was outstanding. I totally recommend it!!
Was the perfect evening: amazing venue, terrific play and performances. So fun to laugh and be warmly entertained in an intimate setting. Dawn Joyal is a HIT! a perfect "date night" too!
Beautifully and simply written, The Marriage Zone is directed at times (also by Gould) with a sort of bouncy, sitcom feeling that holds audience attention without drippy melodrama. Instead, we're handed a downright honest exchange of ideas that most of us think about and act out all the time, but aren't willing to fess up to. The Marriage Zone boast a stellar cast with a lot of chemistry, that keeps this play moving quite smoothly for a thrilling and fun ride. Recommended
The Marriage Zone is a great night of entertainment- you can't go wrong. We've been to many productions and this one we rate A+! We are looking forward to seeing it again- which the best endorsement of all. It is funny, clever and touching. Just fantastic!
I loved this short, funny play! I have slept through many smaill venue plays but this kept my attention and kept me laughing throughout! Amazing casting! The actors are all on point and hysterical but completely believable. I highly recommend this play to theater fans of all ages over 18!
The marriage zone was excellent. Highly recommend. It was funny, engaging, thought provoking. Go see it!
It was great-insightful & well written with humor and twists! I loved the older dad and the son Ryan (Tanner Fontana) was perfect.
This show features a rotating cast roster that vary during each performance. Please check with the staff management on who is going to appear in the performance and when! However, it doesn't really matter on who will be present on stage as THE MARRIAGE ZONE is very witty and funny to say the least! It's also very honest as well as being linked as a married couple (man and woman in this case) does has its moments! Maybe not to the same moments as depicted on stage, but it can get pretty close! (September 2018 review)
This cute, Indian summertime diversion should be called The Marriage Twilight Zone. It's pure fantasy but smartly written, full of unexpected developments and sprinkled with chuckles.
This one act play, written and directed by Jeff Gould, is very witty. The barbs and gags has its comic appeal where a simple situation takes upon many ironic twists without losing any of its humor. (August 2017 review)
It's an intriguing conceit and handled brilliantly by author and director Jeff Gould and, after you see this play, you will never think of your own relationships the same way again.
Imaginative, fun, funny and very clever – all I can say is; “The Marriage Zone” is fantastic! Part Sci-Fi, part comedy, part Wow!
The cast is superb, absolutely brilliant, and they all work so effortlessly together to weave this complex and unusual tale...I highly recommend “The Marriage Zone” at The Secret Rose.
The Marriage Zone is the fourth in a series of comedies written by playwright and director Jeff Gould that deal with relationships between men and women. Though it is an unlikely situation told with many laughs, this plot might be an eye opener for some people.
The attractive middle-aged couple is having a fight. It's not one of those screaming, throwing-things-at-each-other kind of fights. Rather, it's the irritable kind of bickering where every time he opens his mouth she argues with whatever he has to say. This time the argument is about selling the house they have lived in for 20 years. She wants to “move up” to a nicer house in a better neighborhood. He wants to stay where they are. Nevertheless, she appears to be winning. They have put the house up for sale. It's a fast-paced opening to playwright Jeff Gould's delightful and hilarious take on a marriage that has lasted long enough for the participants to become permanently annoyed with each other. We all know how that works, right?
The concept of the piece is actually quite intriguing, but with the necessary filter missing the result is impressively sub-par. The playwright's choice to direct – in other words, to have to listen only to his own views on the script, stage movement, pacing, etc. – means that there was nobody left to push the play to its potential.
Jeff Gould's The Marriage Zone is an excellent example of fusing drama and comedy together with relevant and entertaining results...The production is blessed with a stellar cast and a great script. There are tender moments as well as comedic. Interesting in how the little things can have such large repercussions. Highly recommended.
Gould's writing is crisp, glib and playful, and his production engagingly explores the wacky idea that these three couples are the same people at different points in their lives.
The double-cast production skillfully navigates moments of perplexity and clarity with appropriate elicitations of laughter and empathy...
In “The Marriage Zone,” the clever and astute relatability of the three couples to not just each other, but to audiences at the Santa Monica Playhouse, is a testament to Jeff Gould and a cast that has successfully realized his vision. Most productions gloss over the components that make or break relationships, but in “The Marriage Zone,” the many nuances that make up spousal satisfaction are explored through the lens of dramatic love, irony, absurdity, sheer hilarity, and can't-miss creativity.
Not to mislead you, Gould's dialogue and direction (and the rest of the pro cast) keep the evening fresh and briskly moving through the 90-something minute performance without an intermission. It's an intimate evening, a stolen moment of fun and ‘what if's.
Although I went to the play hoping for some badly needed laughs, I was sadly disappointed. Very little that happened on stage tickled my funny bone. I simply sat there wondering why the play wasn't working for me, feeling more bewildered and disappointed by the moment.
Jeff Gould keeps the action fast-paced... The production is handsomely mounted and I appreciated the preshow music, which hinted at what was to come with music from eras appropriate to the three couples... See it while you can.
Beautifully and simply written, The Marriage Zone is directed at times (also by Gould) with a sort of bouncy, sitcom feeling that holds audience attention without drippy melodrama. Instead, we're handed a downright honest exchange of ideas that most of us think about and act out all the time, but aren't willing to fess up to. The Marriage Zone boast a stellar cast with a lot of chemistry, that keeps this play moving quite smoothly for a thrilling and fun ride. Recommended
This show features a rotating cast roster that vary during each performance. Please check with the staff management on who is going to appear in the performance and when! However, it doesn't really matter on who will be present on stage as THE MARRIAGE ZONE is very witty and funny to say the least! It's also very honest as well as being linked as a married couple (man and woman in this case) does has its moments! Maybe not to the same moments as depicted on stage, but it can get pretty close! (September 2018 review)
This cute, Indian summertime diversion should be called The Marriage Twilight Zone. It's pure fantasy but smartly written, full of unexpected developments and sprinkled with chuckles.
This one act play, written and directed by Jeff Gould, is very witty. The barbs and gags has its comic appeal where a simple situation takes upon many ironic twists without losing any of its humor. (August 2017 review)
It's an intriguing conceit and handled brilliantly by author and director Jeff Gould and, after you see this play, you will never think of your own relationships the same way again.
Imaginative, fun, funny and very clever – all I can say is; “The Marriage Zone” is fantastic! Part Sci-Fi, part comedy, part Wow!
The cast is superb, absolutely brilliant, and they all work so effortlessly together to weave this complex and unusual tale...I highly recommend “The Marriage Zone” at The Secret Rose.
The Marriage Zone is the fourth in a series of comedies written by playwright and director Jeff Gould that deal with relationships between men and women. Though it is an unlikely situation told with many laughs, this plot might be an eye opener for some people.
The attractive middle-aged couple is having a fight. It's not one of those screaming, throwing-things-at-each-other kind of fights. Rather, it's the irritable kind of bickering where every time he opens his mouth she argues with whatever he has to say. This time the argument is about selling the house they have lived in for 20 years. She wants to “move up” to a nicer house in a better neighborhood. He wants to stay where they are. Nevertheless, she appears to be winning. They have put the house up for sale. It's a fast-paced opening to playwright Jeff Gould's delightful and hilarious take on a marriage that has lasted long enough for the participants to become permanently annoyed with each other. We all know how that works, right?
The concept of the piece is actually quite intriguing, but with the necessary filter missing the result is impressively sub-par. The playwright's choice to direct – in other words, to have to listen only to his own views on the script, stage movement, pacing, etc. – means that there was nobody left to push the play to its potential.
Jeff Gould's The Marriage Zone is an excellent example of fusing drama and comedy together with relevant and entertaining results...The production is blessed with a stellar cast and a great script. There are tender moments as well as comedic. Interesting in how the little things can have such large repercussions. Highly recommended.
Gould's writing is crisp, glib and playful, and his production engagingly explores the wacky idea that these three couples are the same people at different points in their lives.
First time attending a play in the Santa Monica Playhouse and so glad I did it. The Marriage Zone was hilarious, made me think and the cast was outstanding. I totally recommend it!!
Was the perfect evening: amazing venue, terrific play and performances. So fun to laugh and be warmly entertained in an intimate setting. Dawn Joyal is a HIT! a perfect "date night" too!
The Marriage Zone is a great night of entertainment- you can't go wrong. We've been to many productions and this one we rate A+! We are looking forward to seeing it again- which the best endorsement of all. It is funny, clever and touching. Just fantastic!
I loved this short, funny play! I have slept through many smaill venue plays but this kept my attention and kept me laughing throughout! Amazing casting! The actors are all on point and hysterical but completely believable. I highly recommend this play to theater fans of all ages over 18!
The marriage zone was excellent. Highly recommend. It was funny, engaging, thought provoking. Go see it!
It was great-insightful & well written with humor and twists! I loved the older dad and the son Ryan (Tanner Fontana) was perfect.