Charles D. Whitson is Paul Parsky, a well-known author of short stories and novels that abound with both his humor and cynicism in “The Unexpected Man.”

Below: Liz Masters is Martha, a fan of Parsky’s who even has his latest book, “The Unexpected Man,” in her handbag.
Photos by A. CUERVO / Tulsa World

Theatergoers are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild and join a pair of perfectly wonderful actors in a delightful night of theater with "The Unexpected Man," which opened at Heller Theater on Thursday night.

The premise couldn't be more simple -- a man and a woman who don't know each other, sharing a train compartment from Paris to Frankfurt -- but even that simplicity is an asset to playwright Yasmina Reza's work, as it proves ripe with possibilities.

The man -- portrayed with world-weary perfection by Charles D. Whitson -- is Paul Parsky, a well-known author of short stories and novels that abound with both his humor and cynicism. The woman -- played in a wonderfully flustered style by Liz Masters -- is Martha, who has chosen this compartment purposefully, as she's a fan of Parsky's and even has his latest book, "The Unexpected Man," in her handbag.

He looks about 60, while she's probably closer to 50. He's gruff, bitter about his daughter's recent choice of an older man for a fiancee and a bit disgusted with recent reception to his work. She's charming, with a golden melancholy about her as she recovers from the death of her longtime lover.

They both have a lot on their minds, and the audience listens in as these internal monologues are delivered directly to them. It's a refreshing and intriguing experience hearing these stream-of-consciousness rants that we're not supposed to hear. Just as our imaginations make for good traveling companions on any trip, so these conversations make for good company here.

The experience can be humorous, sometimes touching and occasionally both at the same time. Speaking in alternating turns, Martha at one point reflects on her lost love, followed immediately by Parsky's musing, "Why don't I go back on Ex-Lax? I was happy on Ex-Lax. It was a good way to download."

At another point, Martha is considering taking out Parsky's book to read in front of him, then changes her mind; his next private thought about his traveling companion is, "Strange woman, who doesn't read anything."

The emotions run hot and cold, from the banal to the whimsical in director Jenny Jackson's effort. The characters' personal desires are laid bare over time, and when the book eventually comes out of the bag, the stakes in this little play are raised even higher.

These private thoughts are all ones with which we can easily identify, making the writing subject both predictable and unpredictable. The device of having the actors deliver monologues to the audience works as well here as it did in Reza's other acclaimed play, the Tony Award-winning "Art," which was a smash for Heller Theater in 2000.

This play deserves the same reception for its remaining performances. Also like "Art," this work runs about 70 minutes and moves at a fast clip. It's an inti mate play that might not work on any larger stage in Tulsa. Heller's audience-friendly, 50-seat black box proves to be the perfect setting.

"The Unexpected Man" is a tiny gem, smooth and flawless, and it's one of the best local theater productions this year, featuring superb acting turns by Masters and Whitson as well as lovingly precise direction by Jackson. Larry Latham's simple set design is also perfect, as more would have been too much.

Heller Theater's production of "The Unexpected Man" continues with an 8 p.m. performance Saturday, a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, and 8 p.m. shows Thursday-Friday and Feb. 8. Heller Theater is located at 5328 S. Wheeling Ave. Tickets are $5-7 and may be purchased at the door or reserved in advance by calling 746-5065.