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Actor doesn't shrink from challenge in crazed 'Psychopathia' role Arthur's wedding day approaches, but without his father's socks, he's got cold feet. This requires a bit more explanation, but that's essentially the premise behind Heller Theater's thoroughly silly comedy "Psychopathia Sexualis," which continues with performances Thursday-Saturday. |
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The socks issue is critical because Arthur has a fetish. His bride-to-be doesn't know it, but he can't perform sexually without a particular pair of argyle footwear in close proximity.
For six years, Arthur's psychiatrist has tried to cure him of this obsession, through 797 fruitless sessions. Now Dr. Block -- a mocking personification of evil -- has forced the issue and stolen the socks.
Shrink from Hell is the most intriguing character in this cartoonish comedy by playwright John Patrick Shanley ("Moonstruck"), and Christopher Stefanic seems to take great glee in portraying this pompous, confrontational, Freudian ass who delights in shredding his patients'egos like so many unnecessary documents.
There's a bit more under the surface daffiness of this tale, but not too much more. It's a work that's never belly-laugh inducing, but director George Romero's effort is always amusing, intimate and interesting. Occasionally its take on relationships -- woman / man, man / man and woman / woman -- is thought-provoking, as well.
Perhaps if Arthur (William Jackson) had any real friends he could confide in, he might not need the services of this quack who's certainly more capable of harm than help.
But with friends like Howard (Joel Carpenter) -- "a Grey Poupon, 'Masterpiece Theater,' you want to kick him in the face" kind of guy, according to Romero -- lording his phony superiority over people, Arthur needs professional help of some type.
I wonder if a bit of help isn't in order for Jackson, who portrays Arthur as a secretive, paranoid but especially fidgety mess, violently shaking as if he were a meth addict suffering withdrawals. Whether intended or simply nervous energy, it's too much. Funny, but too much.
Sarah Alfred is the histrionic Lucille, an explosive drama queen (also a bit much), or as Howard calls Arthur's Texas belle, a "hillbilly Aztec Evita." Her comic timing, however, is quite good. She looks hilarious in a wedding dress that's "yellow like an old man's teeth," and her escaping bosom is the show's comedic secret weapon.
But most enjoyable in the preview performance I saw last week was Meg McKee's work as Howard's wife, a witty gal playing it more subdued and internal amongst all the madness and yet finding all of her character's good humor. "Psychopathia Sexualis" continues with 8 p.m. performances Thursday-Saturday at Heller Theater, 5328 S. Wheeling Ave. Tickets are $7 and may be reserved by calling 746-5065.