However, for one writer, Jake (Mario D'Alimonte), this method of creation interferes with his reality and causes marital strife in the Scarborough Players premiere show of their 50th anniversary season Jake's Women by Neil Simon.
This play is a unique look at how one man's refusal to come to terms with his past, negatively affects his present. Staged with an incredibly talented cast, this show may make you think twice about what's holding you back from being happy.
The show is set in Jake and Maggie's Soho loft in New York City, and begins with a scene showing Jake and Maggie (Carolyn Tutchener) meeting for the first time. Soon, it's revealed that this is happening through Jake's imagination but is being portrayed live in the present moment.
Jake not only conjures up moments from his past, he also has imaginary conversations with the other women in his life, like his daughter Molly at age 12 (Shannon Toms) and 21 (Krista Lawley), his dead wife Julie (Kat Karpenchuk) and his psychiatrist, Edith (Mary Panoulias), calling on them as he needs answers or reassurance.
When Jake summons up his sister Karen (Diane Tursman) for advice, they have a frank discussion about his fears that Maggie is going to leave him for another man.
Once back in reality, it's revealed that the couple is having trouble and decide to separate. Maggie is feeling secondary to the world in Jake's head, and Tutchener portrayed the frustration of a woman forgotten and feeling invisible with humour and believability, making a hard topic easier to watch.
From here, the unraveling of a man played flawlessly by D'Alimonte, was funny, sad and revealing. You could see his inner conflict because he knows what he wants but can't manage to make it his reality.
However thought-provoking it may have been, and an interesting way to tell a story, it was also sad and became hard to watch at times. It was also surprising how serious the play actually was as Simon is primarily known for his comedies.
There were some stand-out comedic scenes, namely one which featured a lady Jake is seeing named Sylvia (Erin Jones), who had the unfortunate task of being Jake's girlfriend. In her attempts to understand him, she ends up blowing a gasket in one of the funniest scenes of the play.
The other women also had great humour, which made Jake's issues lighter, especially the sweet dead wife Julie and the shrink Edith who analyzes his life with some funny analogies.
As great as it would to relive all the good, and figure out the bad, moments in life through the imagination, this is not necessarily a show that would appeal to everyone. It is deep and long-winded at times, and jumps from the past to the present.
It does, however, offer great performances and a message that with good people in your life and a willingness to change, happiness is possible.
Jake's Women remaining shows are tomorrow to Saturday, Oct. 16 to 18 at 8 p.m. at Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd. Tickets are $17 and $14 for students and seniors on Thursdays and Sundays only. For tickets, call 416-396-4049.