The Language Archive: Love Means Never Having to Say — Anything

“The Language Archive,” running now through April 25 on South Coast Repertory’s Segerstrom stage, is a warm, quirky comedy that has its focus on George, a renowned linguist whose
specialty is deciphering dying languages.
“There are sixty-five hundred languages in the world,” says George. “More than half are expected to die within the next century. In fact, it’s estimated that every two weeks, a language dies.” Our wordsmith takes the demise of a language far more seriously than the death of a grandmother or the passing of, say, his wife’s dog.
That’s because George’s passion is language. Why, he can say “I love you” in a dozen languages. Alas, it becomes apparent that English is not one of those languages.
George is juggling several problems in his life. For one thing, his wife Mary is leaving odd notes around the house, subtle hints that indicate she’s planning to leave him.
Notes left in his books, notes hidden in his slippers, even messages at the bottom of his teacup. Short, inquisitive notes, reading, “Husband or throw pillow?” And, “Marriage or old cardigan?” Despite his credentials as a bright linguist, these indecipherable missives puzzle George.
When push finally comes to shove, George is unable to form his lips around the three simple words that best express love — the three words that Mary wants most to hear. The best he can muster is a pitiful “Don’t go?”

Mary goes.
Also among his current travails is a cantankerous old married couple — the last-on-earth speakers of Elloway, the dying language of their native land. Their constant bickering is putting a damper on George’s plans to record their language for posterity. The feisty pair has been fighting ever since they climbed off the plane and now they aren’t speaking to each other. In this case, love means never having to say — anything.
Our attention turns to Emma, George’s doting and devoted assistant, a young woman who loves languages. She also loves George, who is as unaware of her feelings toward him as he is of the language of love. So intent are her feelings for her boss that she begins learning Esperanto — George’s favorite language — in order to express that love to him in words.

Enter Resten and Alta, the last two living speakers of the Elloway language, who have flown to the United States to participate in interviews with George and his assistant. The two linguists attempt to tape conversations between this colorful pair, who bicker angrily and endlessly
about everything from who got the window seat on the plane to the palatability of Alta’s cooking. The old man and woman impose ancient curses on the other and then — as the linguists watch in horror — vow to never speak with each other again.
Julia Cho’s romantic and somewhat melancholy comedy takes on other unconventional twists, and the ending is as satisfying as it is illuminating as language becomes a metaphor for
love. This is the second South Coast Repertory premiere for Cho, who also wrote “The Piano Teacher,” which had its debut at SCR. Her other writing credits include “Durango,” “The Winchester House” and “BFE.” She is also a writer on the popular HBO series “Big Love.” “The Language Archive” has already won the 2010 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize awarded to an
outstanding new English-language play by a woman.
The cast includes Leo Marks as George. Marks returns to SCR where he previously appeared as Bill Walker in “Major Barbara.” Other credits include “All the King’s Men” at Intiman Theatre, “Defiance” at the Pasadena Playhouse, “Lincolnesque” at The Old Globe and “Dead End” at Ahmanson Theatre. He also received an OBIE in 2007 for his work in Heather Woodbury’s “Tale of 2Cities: An American Joyride on Multiple Tracks.”
Tony Amendola plays Resten, returning to SCR after appearing in “The Heiress.” In addition, Amendola has had a longtime role "Stargate SG-1” as the Jaffa Warrior Bra’Tac.
Betsy Brandt, who has appeared previously at SCR in “Ridiculous Fraud” and the PPF readings of “Truth and Beauty and Scab,” portrays Mary. She also starred opposite Blythe Danner in the Hallmark Hall of Fame film “When We Were Grownups.”
Linda Gehringer is the battling Alta, and has appeared at SCR’s world premieres of “The Piano
Teacher,” “A Naked Girl on the Appian Way,” “Getting Frankie Married — and Afterwards” and “Hold Please.”
Laura Heisler plays Lovestruck Emma in her SCR debut. She made her Broadway debut in “Coram Boy,” and has appeared Off-Broadway and regionally.
“The Language Archive” runs through April 25 at South Coast Repertory. Tickets are available online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555, or by visiting the box office at 655 Town center Drive in Costa Mesa. Prices range from $20 to $65.