“Fully Committed”: Hilarious Comedy Exposes NY Elite—at Altarena
Samuel Barksdale (as Sam Callahan). Photos: Grizzly DeHaro
Becky Mode Reveals Frantic Rez-Worker’s Underworld
by Rachel Norby
“Fully Committed,” a one-person show depicting a day in the life of a reservation-taker for one of New York’s highest profile restaurants, depicts a delightful dive into character, entitlement, and respect. Samuel Barksdale does an exceptional job of conjuring Sam Callahan, an overworked and under-appreciated worker-bee in the basement of an posh Manhattan restaurant.
Barksdale’s talent is on full display as he slips easily into and out of rich and spoiled characters on the phone, seeking elusive reservations. He jumps headfirst into each personality, “fully committed” to each hilarious portrayal. Barksdale leaves no doubt about the motives and desires of each entitled caller, whether it’s Bryce from Gwyneth Paltrow’s office insisting on special light bulbs or Mrs. CarolAnn Rosenstein-Fishburn demanding her special table.
Barksdale plays each caller, letting us know what privileges they assert and just how cringe-worthy they are. We find out what makes each one tick what drives them—evoking big laughs and hearty fun at the clueless callers’ expense.
His effortless portrayal of each deluded caller helps us to understand that Becky Mode’s brilliant play is really all about privilege and power.
Samuel Barksdale charms.
The play opens with Sam Callahan, a gay reservation-taker and aspiring actor taking a reservation from Mrs. Vandevere, a VVVVIP who insists she is very flexible on timing and will accept a reservation anytime between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. The absurd demands continue, with each potential patron more entitled than the last, each expecting entry into this exclusive eatery.
Each exerts another form of power and privilege to get what they want. They are proud of their names and status, considering poor Sam as a puddle in their path—an annoying obstacle that must be dealt with before gaining their rightful place in the firmament.
But as the hectic demands spiral, we begin to see that the difference between a sense of entitlement to luxury and to respect has been blurred for these affluent narcissists. They expect mere workers to cater to their every whim, no matter how ridiculous. The urgency and sense of injustice with which they bully poor Sam would be better used battling actual injustices.
Nevertheless, they use their energies and resources to browbeat this reservation-taker into accommodating their trivial demands. Elitism rules but we laugh out loud at its demands.
Samuel Barksdale triumphs.
But Sam does not remain a victim. He’s an aspiring actor and wants to go home for Christmas. Despite being pulled in all directions, and simultaneously pressured to do the impossible, he realizes that he too has power. He just must learn to exert his newfound power cleverly.
Sam, too, can command respect as a worker and a person. This change in attitude, from being a victim of his circumstances, to realizing he is entitled to respect changes everything. It enables him to enjoy the life he has and have more of the life he wants.
Bravo to witty director Kimberly Ridgeway! Bravo to spot-on Samuel Barksdale!
“Fully Committed” is a hoot! Worth a second trip to savor Sam’s revolt against crumbling authority.
“Fully Committed” by Becky Mode, directed by Kimberly Ridgeway, set design by Tom Curtin, lighting by Stephanie Anne Johnson, sound by Alex Fakayode, costume by Katina Psihos, at Altarena Playhouse, Alameda California.
Info: altarena.org - to February 22, 2026.
Cast: Samuel Barksdale