Quirks and quarks
By MICHAEL SMITH
World Scene Writer
3/21/2004


Dr. Block (Christopher Stefanic) and Lucille (Sarah Alfred) are caught in a compromising position by Howard (Joel Carpenter right), and Arthur (William Jackson) in a scene from “Psychopathia Sexualis” at Heller Theater.
STEPHEN HOLMAN / Tulsa World


Absurdist comedy looks at flaws and foibles of the human race Ask director George Romero how men think, and her answer is simple and funny. Her answer to how women think is more abstract -- and funnier.

"When you ask guys what they think, and they say 'nothing,' they're not lying," Romero said. "How do women think? We don't know. We're psychotic and crazy. Chicks are like slot machines."

You insert a quarter, pull her arm down and . . .?

"You don't know what's going to happen. You could be a winner. You could be a big loser. You might get a nickel back."

Ask Romero about "Psychopathia Sexualis," the play she's directing for Heller Theater that opens Thursday night, and she gives an answer that's simply absurd.

"It's about socks," she says, laughing. Of course, it's more abstract and funny than that.

In this wacky comedy by John Patrick Shanley ("Moonstruck"), Arthur is an obscure young painter, struggling in the Man hattan art scene. He's to be married soon to Lucille, a no-nonsense Texas socialite.

But Arthur's hit a major speed bump on the road to happiness. Unknown to Lucille, he's incapable of making love without his father's argyle socks being in close proximity.

Arthur's psychiatrist, unable to cure the groom of this fetish, has stolen this security blanket. The wedding night approaches. Efforts are made to retrieve the socks. Hilarity ensues.

"I think a lot of comedy is absurd, because a lot of it comes from traumatic events going wrong, mishaps of some sort, and then you realize how ridiculous everything is," Romero said.

"For me, it seems absurd for a man to be crying over a pair of lost socks. But it's very serious for our character.

"This really is about people's quirks, and what you're willing to accept from a person as their quirks -- and what's just a little too freaky."

And that quirkiness is what makes Romero laugh. Like how her brother, Nick, sniffs any food before he'll put it in his mouth. Or how her friend, Veronica, won't take the top newspaper out of the rack; she has to go three or four copies down.

"What's funny to me? Chickens. No, it's people's personal quirks, they just crack me up," she said. "With me, I can't have just one stick of gum left, floating around in my purse. I will chew it, or I will give it away, but I can't stand to have just one piece of gum. I can't explain it, but I would rather have none than have one. If I have two left, that's fine." OK, now that's simply absurd.

The cast of "Psychopathia Sexualis" includes William Jackson, Joel Carpenter, Christopher Stefanic, Sarah Alfred and Meg McKee.

“PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS”
Heller Theater
8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. March 28, 8 p.m. April 1-3 Heller Theater, 5328 S. Wheeling Ave.
$5-$7, may be reserved by calling 746-5065

Note
This play contains adult language and situations

Michael Smith 581-8334
michael.smith@tulsaworld.com