| If you're in the mood
for a crazy comedy, "Beyond Therapy" will fill your inner need. SNAP!'s show
opened Friday night at the Hitchcock Theater, upstairs at the Rose. Word of mouth should
sell this one.
It's probably funnier for those who
have actually been in psychotherapy, but plenty of howler moments don't require a
"been there, done that" to be appreciated. Christopher Durang's twitchy
characters and one-line zingers are a safe bet to leave any semi-sane adult laughing.
And try not to be conflicted about those moments where
you're the only one laughing. Feelings are neither good nor bad . . .
Director M. Michelle Phillips decided "Beyond
Therapy" was a bit short, so she folded in a Durang one-act, "The Actor's
Nightmare," in which the main character, George, finds the curtain going up on
opening night, but he doesn't know his lines - or even what show he's in.
Phillips stitches the plays together with a pair of
white-coated psychiatrists who do bits between scenes. As slides are flashed overhead,
earning their own laughs, one shrink (Scott Jackman) plays straight man, reading from
Freud's works, then the other (Jim Leonard) dead-pans a comment.
The device offers mixed results. While Phillips' one-liners
aren't bad, the plays are distinct and unrelated. The Freud text, full of clinical
language, drags things, and the evening is pushed to 21/2 hours - a bit long.
Tom Lowe leads off a strong cast as the clueless actor in
"Nightmare," praying and pleading for lines. His fellow actors alternate Becket,
Shakespeare and Noel Coward as he turns to JellO.
Then "Therapy" takes over. Mark Pracht is natural
and engaging as weepy Bruce, who finds risk easy but seeks stability in a woman. His
personal ad turns up cool-headed Prudence (Colene Byrd), who hates risk - and flaws - but
wants a man.
Bruce already has one. He tells a dubious Prudence he's
bisexual, and boyfriend Bob is OK with that. Don Nguyen is terrific as poker-faced,
manipulating Bob, who in fact is not OK with that.
Jan Reardon is the most fun as Charlotte, Bruce's
flamboyant therapist whose memory lapses and treatment methods are bizarre. Charlotte
keeps a stuffed dog on her desk to bark encouragement at patients' little breakthroughs.
Also very funny is David Mainelli as Prudence's macho but
sexually insecure therapist, who has slept with his patient and wants to again. He says
her thing with Bruce clearly shows a need for more therapy.
Bob confronts Prudence, loses it and ends up in emergency
therapy with Charlotte. That causes Charlotte to lose it. Then all five characters lose it
in a chaotic confrontation at Bruce and Prudence's favorite restaurant, where they finally
turn up a long-absent waiter. He's played by Lowe, sort of bringing things full circle.
Byrd and Pracht are standouts in the talented cast, and the
whole thing is hilarious fun. Phillips coaxes fine performances from all, and she and the
actors should take a bow for frequently brilliant comedic timing.
- What: Comedy by SNAP! Productions
- When: 8 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, through June 20
- Where: Hitchcock Theater at The Rose, 2001 Farnam St.
- Tickets: $15; $10 for students, seniors and SNAP! friends
Information: 342-9053
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