Date: Fri 26-Feb-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

Psychopathia-Sexualis-Stern

Full Text:

THEATRE REVIEW: Harmless Fun In New Milford

(with cuts)

By Julie Stern

NEW MILFORD -- The title of John Patrick Shanley's work currently on stage at

New Milford TheatreWorks, Psychopathia Sexualis , comes from Kraft-Ebbing's

classic study of deviant sexual behavior, in which dirty-minded psych majors

could peruse for thrills in the days before such prurient details became

commonplace in The New York Times and the Congressional record.

In the case of this comedy, the reference is little more than a play on words.

the ostensible action revolves around a struggling artist's peculiar hang-up:

Arthur can't make love without his secret talisman -- an old pair of his

father's socks.

In an attempt to cure him of this fetish, the young man's psychiatrist

confiscates the socks shortly before his upcoming marriage to Lucille, the

rich and beautiful Texas transplant. Arthur enlists his best friend, Howard,

in an attempt to get the socks back, and the rest of the plot consists of a

series of confrontations between Dr Block, Howard, Lucille, and Howard's wife,

Ellie.

Definitely the best part of the play are the scenes featuring Kevin Pelkey as

the implacable Freudian. What makes it so interesting is not only Pelkey's

solid stage presence, but also the fact that as a character, he knows his

stuff.

Not just a caricature of an inept shrink, Dr Block rattles off trenchant and

perceptive analyses of the underlying dynamics that bind the quartet of

friends together. He sees through Howard's pretenses, and exposes his secret

need to prop up his own ego by keeping Arthur dependent and weak.

What doesn't work so well is Mick Deaking's portrayal of Howard. It would seem

that Howard -- who has been a wildly successful manager of a huge mutual fund

before retiring to a life of leisure that mixes serious reading with travel

and exercise -- is meant to project an image exuding macho confidence and

strength.

Instead, he plays the role with a Cary Grant-like diffident understatement,

which makes him seem affected rather than powerful, rendering the impact of

the doctor's revelations less of a dramatic surprise.

As the Texas chili popper Lucille, Robyn Greenstone gives a strong performance

of an independent gal who has never had any truck with sissified eastern

foolishness like psychiatrists, but who nonetheless is determined to stand by

her man, and even fight for his socks if need be.

As Howard's "trophy" second wife, Heather Barrett instills Ellie with a dry

wit and a sophisticated sense of irony. The best part is the Kiplingesque poem

she is working on for a creative writing course at the New School. Like Dr

Block's bits of analysis, this is real.

Americo Zecccardi is sweet as the hapless painter Arthur, but his role would

have more substance if the contrast to Howard had been more clear.

There are lots of light-hearted laughs here, and unlike the play's namesake,

the kinkiness is as harmless as Barbie and Ken.

(Performances continue Friday and Saturday nights through March 13. Call the

TheatreWorks box office, 350-6863, for reservations or other details.)