Encore Michigan

‘Game, Set, Match’ is a Win at Tipping Point

Review June 17, 2023 David Kiley

NORTHVILLE, MI–Whether you are 21 or 61, gay or straight, online dating, which has taken over the whole process of meeting potential matches, is a fraught and often funny process.

Tracy L. Spada clearly has some experiences in this realm, because she has written a delightful rom-com story about a side of online dating that doesn’t often get revealed—that of lesbians who turn to Match, OKCupid, Hinge, Zoosk, etc.

Game. Set. Match is now presented at The Tipping Point here.

When invited to her ex-girlfriend’s wedding, to a man, Abby (Caitlin Cavannaugh) makes the decision to go, but not without a date. Abby has never really gotten over Kyla (Alysia Kolascz), and their friendship is complicated. Abby clearly still loves Kyla, but Kyla is also clearly less than comfortable including her former lover and good friend into her now-confirmed hetero life.

Abby sets out on her dating app journey, and, like many, begins a series of meet-ups with the usual cast of dysfunctional partner seekers, all of whom Spada writes as if from personal experience or excellent research: the over-sexed endless texter who doesn’t want to meet in person; the woman who is engaged, but still playing the field online; the closeted Indian woman who has never had a date with a woman, choosing Abby as her first and falling in love in two minutes; the long-distance date you go see within an hour of connecting.

Anyone who has braved the process of online dating knows that the scenarios Spada paints are all based in sad, comedic truths. Her depictions are spot on, as is her writing about the complicated relationship that looms over the story.

Caitlin Cavannaugh plays Abby, the tennis pro, who, wink wink, is having a terrible time finding a “match.” Cavannaugh is marvelous at taking Spada’s very good dialogue writing and applying her talent for comedic timing we have seen from her time and time again. What Spada gets wonderfully right in her play is that she knows how to bake the humor into her writing, rather than going for sit-com jokes begging for a laugh-track like established hack writers who have somehow found financial success in today’s theatre world. Her writing gives the actors all the tools they need to shine.

Spada has combined three ensemble actors who portray different characters, like the prospective dates for Abby, with a greek chorus who comment on Abby’s thoughts and actions. They are played by Kristin Shields, Janai Lashon and Lydia Hiller. Credit Directors Julia Glander and Beth Torrey with casting prowess here because the writing could degenerate fast in the wrong hands. These three actresses can play the lead in any play, but give us their talents in stagecraft and acting in these supporting roles.

Abby has a tennis partner for doubles competition, Shea (Meghan VanArsdalen) who is a reliable, supporting friend in her dating travails. If there is one nick, and it is a small one, in the story, it may be a little bit of predictability, including one very obvious line that telegraphs the ending.  But in what is a lovely rom-com for a night out in the theatre, it is a small quibble indeed.

The set is a tennis court not even the size of  a pickleball court, but it serves the story well even when the action moves to other places. We’ll assume that Technical Directors Bill Van Gieson and Noel Walker are responsible as there is no credit specifically for “Scenic Director.” Mysti plummer designed projections. Sonja Marquis is sound designer. Shelby Newport did costumes.

Ms. Spada is the resident stage manager at Tipping Point. Props to Producing Artistic Directors Julia Glander and Jamie Warrow for giving her a shot. Like the song in Hamilton says, “I’m not throwing away my shot.” And she surely did not.