2 Across at Santa Monica Playhouse

Set entirely on a San Francisco BART train, 2 Across follows the hilarious, poignant, literal and emotional journey of two strangers who meet while doing the New York Times crossword puzzle. She's a sensible psychologist; he's a free-spirited, unemployed ad exec. She's a crossword pro; he always quits. When he tosses his puzzle away, she snaps, "Crosswords are a metaphor for life: Those who finish, succeed; those who don't, fail." The 80 minutes of sparkling dialogue that ensue transition from light banter to moving emotional catharsis as these two unlikely conversationalists roll down the tracks toward a destination neither one of them saw coming. Playwright Jerry Mayer is no stranger to writing snappy dialogue. His talents as a television writer on shows like M*A*S*H, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Facts of Life translate perfectly to the live stage in this witty look at the ups and downs male/female relationships.