Cheers go to writer-director John Ireland, who impressively adapted his bittersweet play about life and the titular life-of-the-party (Galen B. Schrick) at a neighborhood bar. Schrick is impressive and commanding as the watering hole's alpha male and Barbara Gruen is outstanding as an aging drunk who once had a thing for Johnny. Ireland is the son of the Hollywood star of the same name. Steven Shaw, Matthew Walters.