"CORE VALUES" A FUNNY FORAY INTO THE CORPORATE WORLD

DAVID VICTOR, LYNNETTE VICTORIA, DANIELLE SULTINI AND JIM BUFFONE

The corporate world is ever evolving, changing at a dizzying pace and a challenge for anyone caught in a position of authority.  If the buck stops here, at your desk, than the ability to adjust to the winds of progress can be daunting.  Take, for example, Richard, the head of a small, struggling travel agency who is velcroed to his trusty business beliefs: a strong team, company loyalty and good old-fashioned trust.  To meet Richard and a trio of his employees, look no further than Steven Levinson's  "Core Values," a corporate comedy, presented by Square One Theatre Company weekends until Sunday, November 19 at the Stratford Academy, 719 Birdseye Street, Stratford.

David Victor's Richard is akin to Sisyphus pushing a giant rock uphill.  He does not realize how close he is to being crushed by the boulderof competition, in a world he can no longer control.  in the spirit of building enthusiasm and improving work skills, he has invited his work staff to a weekend retreat.  Like a cheer leader, he is trying to inspire company loyalty with Nancy (Danielle Sultini) who is so pre-occupied with the problems at home and with her marriage that work is way down on her list of priorities, the IT tech guy Todd (Jim Buffone) who is dissatisfied with his lot and in busy shopping for greener (as in money) pastures and the new girl Eliot (Lynnette Victoria) who is literally lost as the job is unbelievably confusing. Her eye rolls and comic facial expressions are priceless.

Poor Richard.  He is newly divorced and has no more control of his business than he does of his failed marriage.  Yet he soldiers on and on and on, eager to  motivate  and take control.  Unfortunately, he is doomed in his task and destined to be disappointed...much like a gerbil who spins eagerly on his wheel but gets nowhere.  Tom Holehan directs this fascinating foray into the cutthroat financial world with trusty alliance on the core values of hard work by his talented cast and tried and true skills and goals.

For tickets ($20, seniors $19), call Square One Theatre Company at 203-375-8778 or online at www.squareonetheatre.com. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Come hold Richard's hand as he struggles to find meaning in the workplace and push his troops to victory or, at the least, to show up on the field of battle for another day.