Theater Review: "Fully Committed" Booked for 4-Star Entertainment

By Regent St. Claire

Saturday, September 16 - The Hoi-Polloi in the room didn't take long to warm-up to this deservedly award-winning, one-man charmer about how appallingly restaurant help is treated.

The show's title refers to the "new rule" imposed on reservation booker Sam (Mark Setlock) by his power-drunk, egomaniacal boss. Mr. boss-man has removed "booked-up" from the vocabulary of the hottest four-star fictitious eatery in The Big Apple, and replaced it with the significantly trendier phrase "Fully Committed."

There's no supporting cast here because Setlock masterfully portrays the relentlessly endless rabble of people who make his job a nightmare. Foreign dignitaries, supermodels, Wall Street high-rollers, little old rich ladies, Hollywood producers, Mafia figures, and even the ultra-arrogant chef, all are fleshed-out to biting perfection by Setlock.

We start out with the sweet but schlubby Sam coming in to work one morning, bracing himself for the horrific day that he knows is coming, and gradually white-knuckle it right along with the poor guy, as the show (and Sam's day) start spiraling way, way out of control.

"Committed" was written by Becky Mode, and is based on characters created by Ms. Mode and Setlock, culled from the high-falootin' cavalcade of freaks that they previously worked for in various high-profile New York eateries.

So... it appears that Setlock has knocked himself out doing crappy day jobs for years, only to have the collective experience morph into a runaway acting hit for him. Go figure.

It's easy to see why "Committed" and Setlock have garnered such amazing reviews. This is what a one-man - or one-woman -- show is supposed to be.

"Fully Committed" is staged Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 5 PM & 8 PM, and Sundays at 3 PM and 7 PM.

Performance Venue Summary: The Coronet Theatre

Address: 366 North La Cienega Blvd., L.A. (across the street from Trashy Lingerie and The Acapulco).
Vibe: Quaint-but-small shady courtyard out front. Mixed, semi-industry clientele, with fare from "Brooklyn Laundry" to this year's N.Y. hit, "Fully Committed".
Tickets: (310) 657-7377, or log on to <www.fullycommitted.com>. Ticket Prices may vary but usual range is $25/$45
Parking: Forget it, unless you have an extra hour to walk from a neighboring city, BUT also has $5.00 valet that works in a pinch for the rest of us.
Seating: High ceiling, but good floor level seating only in this 284-seat room.
Food: If they had any, I didn't see it.
Tips: Nice place, but get there early to allow for the onslaught of drivers who need valet parking.