First Folio presents 'Waiting for Tina' as its first full online play

When venues closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, First Folio Theatre did what other Chicago-area theaters did: It shifted its focus online.

For the Oak Brook theater, that meant streaming a 2013 video recording of "Cymbeline: A Folk Tale With Music," its award-winning adaptation of William Shakespeare's comedy, last June. That production was followed in October by a virtual double-bill featuring excerpts from the 2018 revival of First Folio's signature show, "The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story." In between, associate artistic director Melanie Keller hosted virtual chats with ensemble members who also shared stories online.

Now comes "Waiting for Tina Meyer," First Folio's first full play produced specifically for an online audience.

Making her First Folio debut with Kristine Thatcher's one-act comedy (with additional material by Larry Shue) is director Leda Hoffmann.

"I'm so grateful to First Folio for giving artists the opportunity to work together," said the former Strawdog Theatre artistic director. "We're all missing being in the room together and collaborating ... It's been such a great experience to dive in (to the play) with these artists."

Hoffmann has experience helming virtual productions this past year. She's produced or directed several in her capacity as artistic director of the Contemporary American Theatre Company in Columbus, Ohio.

"Every time it's a different learning experience," she said.

But the fundamentals remain.

"The most important thing about directing is creating a community of artists and having that community come together to put a story into the world," she said.

This particular story centers on journeyman actors Walter and Bob, who spend New Year's Eve in a bar awaiting Bob's date, the mysterious titular Tina.

"It's laugh-out-loud funny and there are moments that are incredibly touching," said Hoffmann.

The production was filmed online in sequence from the actors' homes. Their intention was to approach the experience of watching a play, to the extent that was possible.

"We're not filmmakers and we don't want to be," Hoffmann said, "but I'm excited about the way we can share stories."

Filming online was a challenge, says Dan Klarer, who plays Bob.

"A good half-hour every day was spent on trying to get someone back online," he said. "The internet would glitch or we couldn't see someone because their lighting was weird."

Video conferencing "is not a great medium for comedy much less live theater," Klarer said.

That said, the cast and creative team had some nice moments together, he said, adding "we were so happy to have some creative outlet."

The easing of pandemic restrictions means the time is right for "Waiting for Tina Meyer," Klarer said.

"It's about taking things where you can get them. Coming out of the pandemic, everyone is in the same situation," he said. "It may not be the situation I thought it would be, but I'm going to take the situation and make the best of it."

In a sense, says Hoffmann, May 2020 is like New Year's Eve. People are getting vaccinated, seeing families and friends again. It's a post-pandemic fresh start.

"What's next and where are we going?" she said. "That's what this play is about."

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"Waiting for Tina Meyer"

When: Streaming at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, through Sunday, May 23

Where: firstfolio.org

Tickets: Pay-what-you-can, donations accepted. Tickets are good for 48 hours beginning at 8 p.m. on the date selected.