'A Walk in the Woods'

There is a parable about the old bull and the young bull standing on a hill. While the younger bull would charge head down into the problem, the wily, older bull would take a more circuitous route.

"A Walk in the Woods" is a retelling of what might have happened between two negotiators working toward peace. Based loosely on the real-life happenings when in July 1982, Paul Nitze and Yuli A. Kvitsinsky chose to take a stroll up a logging road to escape possible bugging in their office.

Away from the scrutiny of their little room, two international delegates meet in a forest clearing just outside of Geneva, Switzerland. The mission is to renegotiate an arms treaty between Russia and the United States.

Russian delegate Andrey Botvinnik demonstrates his remarkable negotiating skills as he leads the younger American envoy John Honeymoon away from the listening walls for "A Walk in the Woods" remarking that trees don't have ears.

Cloaked in innuendo, the intrigue builds as each gent pursues a separate course while trying to reach a peaceful arms reduction between their two countries.

As the more experienced negotiator, Botvinnik, played by David Ellenstein represents Mother Russia. The veteran delegate's skilled approach to finding the commonality between the two countries is laced with humor as he tries to draw the American off topic.

Even as the months go by, the uptight Honeymoon, played by J. Todd Adams, insists on maintaining a formal relationship conducting himself with the utmost decorum pursuant to his position.

Botvinnik summarizes their months of endless negations saying it is "quest of the appearance for the quest for peace."

Kudos to director Richard Baird, set designer Marty Burnett, lighting designer Matt Novotney and Aaron Rumley for his remarkable sound techniques.

Wrapped in the intrigue of international diplomacy, "A Walk in the Woods" scores high marks as the actors fade into Botvinnik and Honeymoon. It feels alive. In-the-moment. Not a play but an observation of real life. A master class in acting.

Opening July 10 is the world premiere of "Another Roll of the Dice" a continuation of "Guys and Dolls."

"A Walk in the Woods" plays until June 23 at North Coast Repertory Theatre at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach. For tickets, contact the box office, (858) 481-1055, or visit http://www.northcoastrep.org. This show is rated 10 out of 10.

Elizabeth Youngman-Westphal can be reached at [email protected].