Theaterweek |
Wedlockby Anthony Chase |
|
|
Wedlock, the world premiere play by Joshua Faigen at the Alleyway Theatre is a light heterosexual comedy about the eternal mating battles between men and women. It is a fast-paced and lighthearted affair, under the direction of Neal Radice, with Stephanie Bax, David Hayes, Matthew LaChiusa and Kim Piazza in a variety of stressful couplings.
On one level, this is Love American Style for the new millennium. At times, however, it aspires to more Edward Albee-esque absurdism, and endless pairings of Georges and Marthas duke it out. These were, generally, less successful than Faigen’s more purely playful manipulations of words and cultural clichés, which, while well-worn in the world of comedy, reliably inspire a chuckle. I wondered, at various moments, if single people might be the target audience, as some of the arrows directed at marriage hit their mark with wincing accuracy.
Radice has assembled an appealing ensemble with Alleyway favorite Stephanie Bax exhibiting particular range. Kim Piazza proves to have a talent for broad and acidic comedy. The men, Hayes and LaChiusa, heroically defend the caveman through a litany of foibles in which, somehow, straight men always seem dumber.
The play is handsomely produced with an iconic set by Todd Warfield depicting the male and female symbols. It looks like the set for a 1970s game show—reinforcing the Love American Style theme. Wedlock is an amusing diversion for straight men and women to enjoy together.
|
Issue Navigation> Issue Index > v4n45: Wal-Mart: Little People are Fighting Back (11/10/05) > Theaterweek > Wedlock This Week's Issue • Artvoice Daily • Artvoice TV • Events Calendar • Classifieds |
Subscribe 