Recovery

Mark Jason Williams has written some quirky, edgy material in "Recovery," his play about dealing with terminal illness, but he's also written some predictable, soapy scenes. The more successful segments are a series of monologues and dialogues in which a diverse assortment of patients tell their stories. A Long Island housewife, a hyperactive little boy, a driven executive, and a tough Southerner are among the subjects of these intimate and intense vignettes. Kathy Searle and Dan Patrick Brady play all these parts with unflinching honesty, directed with the right light touch by Andrew Block.

Unfortunately, these well-executed and moving moments are only part of the play. The majority of the action concerns the Lifetime TV movie–ish love story of Michael and Kathleen. Both are coping with the double whammy of a leukemia diagnosis and losing a romantic partner. Michael's wife has left him for another man, while Kathleen's husband died in an auto accident for which she was at the wheel. Bitter Kathleen resists the advances of clownish Michael, who unconvincingly shifts from suicidal to optimistic.

Brian J. Carter gives Michael a nicely subtle comic snap, but Elena Zazanis fails to alleviate Kathleen's sourness. Ironically, the doctor and nurse, played with depth by Jon Krupp and Erin Cherry, are more interesting than their patients.

Presented by Loretta Michael Productions as part of the New York International Fringe Festival at the Kraine Theater, 85 E. Fourth St., NYC. Aug. 21–27. Remaining performances: Thu., Aug. 25, 8:30 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 26, 4 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 27, 6 p.m. (866) 468-7619 or www.fringenyc.org. Casting by Cindi Rush Casting.