Last weekend I saw the superb 1-10?, about life behind the scenes of
an "Equity waver" theater, in which lead character Syndey rails
agains precisely the kind of play Taken is--a screenplay put on stage
in hopes of getting it filmed. Theater is for plays, she insists, and
screenplays are meant to be screened, not staged.

Though there is truth to this, I still very much enjoyed Taken.  This
"staged movie" about screwed up relationships features a
sensational turn by Drew Richards as (very) sexually confused Mark,
and excellent support by Jason Britt as (maybe?) the object of
Mark's affection. Co-writer/director/star David Serpa (excellent) and
his talented co-scribe/co-star Tracy Meeker have put together a
dark yet often darkly funny piece which will doubtless provoke much
post-play discussion (Was he really...? Why would she...?). Despite two
dozen or so scene changes, the play moves swiftly and smoothly
(credit to Serpa's direction and his and Meeker's fluid set design.)

This definitely could (and hopefully will) be made into a talked-about
movie. With fewer but longer scenes, and the elimination of all but
the four main character, it could make a sensational play. I would
be happy to see both incarnations in its future!
JANUARY 2007, ECLECTIC THEATRE COMPANY, NORTH
HOLLYWOOD.

--Steven Stanley