Dan's Papers - July 18, 2008 - Review: Beyond Therapy at the Bay Street Theatre

Writing a "contemporary" play is a sticky wicket. A work that captures the essence on an era, using topical humor and pop culture references, may improve its chances of a quick hit commercial success (to wit: Jeffrey), but it may also date the play and cause one to wonder: Will it pass the test of time?

That question loomed large over Bay Street's current offering, Christopher Durang's Beyond Therapy, which made its Broadway debut in 1982. The play takes jabs at the "me" generation that dominated the 1980s, as embodied by the two central characters, Prudence (Katie Finneran) and Bruce (Darren Goldstein), who have more intimate relationships with their therapists than with one another (or probably anyone else, for that matter). The couple meets through a personal ad, and that first date doesn't go well. In the ensuing scenes, they meet with their respective therapists, Dr. Stuart Framingham (Darrell Hammond) and Mrs. Charlotte Wallace (Kate Burton). "Dr." Framingham is a therapist with dubious credentials who once seduced Prudence. Mrs. Wallace is a Louise Hay-on-steroids character who encourages in her patients an unedited, full expression of feelings - in essence an emotional striptease. She herself speaks through a Snoopy doll.

But the time and place in Beyond are simply the framework to support a universal theme and ageless humor. The play works for many reasons. Not only did Durang capture the essence of the self-absorbed '80s, when more people had shrinks than significant others, he achieved it by using a very '80s MTV-generation structure.

Comedy is 99% timing, and the pace of this play - on every level - contributed to its success and hilarity. The scenes are short, like music videos. Jokes come quickly. But unlike lighter comedies where the characters become dueling stand up comics, Durang's one-liners actually stem from lines of thought. This impeccable pacing of scenes and dialogue is a tribute to director Alex Timbers, whose precise staging often approaches choreography.

In addition, the plot and character development unfolds at a breakneck pace. In the first few minutes of their date, Bruce tells Prudence that he likes her breasts - a line that you'd think might be whispered pillow talk rather than first date dinner conversation. He also discloses that he has a man lover, much as you'd tell someone you have a golden retriever. This quickly paced scene is a foreshadowing of today's speed dating, only funnier.

The delivery of the lines is, of course, critical to successful comedy. While this production is largely on the mark (you will laugh out loud many many times) the actors have decidedly different comedic styles.

Goldstein and Finneran approach the play more as a drawing room comedy, fully committed to their successfully drawn characters. The two have an entirely believable and somehow charming dynamic. Hammond, of "Saturday Night Live" fame (among other impressive credentials) is a master of deadpan. He plays against Dr. Framingham's humor which makes it even funnier, allowing the audience to find the joke. Burton makes much larger, broader choices that sometimes work in the writer's favor, other times overwhelm the humor. Bryce Pinkham as the demented waiter, Andrew, also has a broad take. The role is a small one, and Pinkham's schizophrenic characterization pierces the scene. Matt McGrath's Bob, the man lover, oozes a quiet evil. He's the coiled rattlesnake that strikes without warning. McGrath keeps his portrayal away from the bitchy queen stereotype through elegant, controlled mannerisms that bespeak a repressed insanity.

Mostly, the cast works successfully together. The strongest ensemble scene is in the second act, where they are all together at the restaurant. It plays like a well-tuned baroque sextet, the actors weaving around each other like melody lines.

Adding to the sheer delight of this hilarious play are spot-on costumes by Emily Rebholz, complete with medallions and gold chains (on the men, of course), and brilliant sets by Walt Spangler that hit every icon of the '80s, from vertical slat blinds to African mask wall hangings to le Corbusier chair knock-offs to track lighting. Beyond Therapy is good therapy if you need a night of light but smart entertainment. It plays through July 27 at Bay Street.