Where Does the Time Go? (Finn Anthony Matzek production)

Photo credit: Cyndi Chaney Photography

Failure: A Love Story

By Philip Dawkins

Directed by Finn Anthony Matzek

Review by Kate Barry

Entire contents are copyright © 2026 Kate Barry. All rights reserved.

Marietta and Henry Fail had three daughters. Gerty, Jenny June and Nelly found love but time ran out before they married. Failure: A Love Story, directed and produced by up and coming theatre artist Finn Anthony Matzek is a quick and quirky comedy about seizing the moment and doing the most with the time you have. Like the lives of the characters, the run is tragically short for a play that is overwhelming with charming delight.

Set at the beginning of the 1900’s, the play follows a family with big dreams as they run a clock repair business in Chicago. The script is witty and irreverent, allowing for creative staging choices both in casting and blocking. Fourth walls are constantly broken while costumes and props are frequently changed out in the open. Animal puppets and audience participation play a role as a bird is chased through the audience. Director Matzek shows a clear vision within his direction with scenes inside the Fail clock shop. Actors hold round frames to their faces as literal clock faces while contributing “dings,” “bongs,” “tick tocks” and other sounds for staging that is clever and original.

Six actors step into multiple characters in this love story. Magdalen Hartman, Caden

Photo credit: Cyndi Chaney Photography

Stevenson, Ava Marcella, Tristan Cooley, Kevin Butler and Patrick Charles Parrish Jr. provide a concise ensemble in the intimate space at Jeffersonville High School. Slipping in and out of various characters, the story does not skip a beat as multiple deaths including drowning, consumption and even the falling of blunt objects are shown without any grotesque flair. Hartman and Butler bring steady energy as the Fail parents, Marrietta and Henry. Chasing the American dream and experiencing the births and deaths of children, they accomplish the needed emotional range as well as maintaining a clear engaging tone for the frequent narration.

Caden Stevenson and Ava Marcella provide sweet and tender performances as Mortimer and the Fail sisters. Stevenson brings a sincere performance as Mortimer. Always following his heart as a hopeless romantic, his Mortimer cannot help but fall in love with each of the Fail sisters. Ava Marcella brings fully formed performances as Jenny June, Nelly and Gerty. Changing between a swim cap, newsboy hat and cloche, Marcella’s shift in personalities proves to be expert in range. As the competitive swimmer Jenny June, she displays great physical comedy. For Nelly, Marcella gives skillful character work with a bubbly personality. Her protective Gerty provides a primary love story as Mortimer’s pursuit runs deep despite her objections.

Tristan Cooley and Patrick Charles Parrish Jr. give notable performances as well. Channeling the likes of Harpo Marx and Buster Keaton, Cooley provides well timed slapstick with a straight-face and a honk of a horn. Throughout the performance, Patrick Charles Parrish Jr. chimes in with old-timey standards with ukulele in hand. Affectionately performing “I can’t give you anything but love” and “Let me call you sweetheart,” Parrish’s amorous renditions further channel a sense of nostalgia and longing for the good old days.

If you have the chance to see Failure: A Love Story, please do. Reminiscent of a time gone by and quick in comedy, the play will leave you with a smile on your face. And a longing in your heart.

Failure: A Love Story

Produced by Finn Anthony Matzek

Saturday August 1 at 2 pm

Sunday August 2 at 7 pm

The Studio Theatre at Jeffersonville High School

2315 Allison Ln

Jeffersonville, IN 47130 Purchase Tickets Here