Theater Online - New York Theater Reviews

The production of Sexual Perversity in Chicago, now playing at the Roy Arias theater, is hit or miss with the careful pacing of David Mamet. The play, which hilariously tells of the formation and demise of a relationship in 1976, is itself strong source material. The cast, for the most part, understands how to execute the humor. However, at times the fast pace seems overwhelming for them, like an animal yet to be tamed.

Every time the show starts to get its mojo going, it’s interrupted by an awkward scene change that takes much too long. The audience sits in extended anticipation as a disco soundtrack plays and nothing happens for 10, 15 seconds. This disrupts the flow of the show and takes the audience out of it.

The performances themselves can be quite good. When they do have the timing right, they really have it right, and every beat is delicious. Christopher Fahmie as Bernard is given the most difficult material to handle, as the fast talking womanizer, and generally he handles this well. Mark Levy, as Danny, is given much of the humor and has all the wide-eyed innocence of his lookalike, John C. Riley. Melody Goodell is given a challenge in her role as Joan—how to be catty without having the audience turn on her. The audience never does, but with a little more rehearsal, she could be the catty girl that is endeared to the audience. The role of Deborah, played by Jennifer Shorstein, also presents its share of challenges but all is handled well.

It’s worth noting the stage design. They make excellent use of a very small space. Overall, the show if very enjoyable, if only needing a bit more rehearsal.