The genius of Edward Albee's 2002 play is the way its many themes are overlaid upon what appears a fairly conventional story of a man's midlife crisis coming to a head when his wife discovers he has been having an affair—well, not so much as having an ongoing physical liaison combined with a passion so deep that the man, Martin, can't even articulate it. That the object of Martin's feelings is a horned barnyard animal is almost beside the point. Director Marya Mazor and her cast recognize that the subject of bestiality must take a back seat to themes that have concerned Albee throughout his career: the intensely personal and private relationship between a married couple, the mutual secrets they guard and implicitly promise to protect, the loyalty of old friends, how we see ourselves versus how others see us, what behavior is considered taboo versus what is generally (if grudgingly) accepted. And as always, Albee effortlessly crisscrosses between comedy and tragedy.
Our window onto the small nuclear family is family friend Ross, played at first with jocularity, later with resolute self-righteousness, by Mike Martin. Kevin Tobias shows that 17-year-old son Billy is likewise a victim of the infidelity's fallout. At the story's center are Jonathon Lamer and Karen Webster as the middle-aged couple in crisis. At first, Lamer's character merely seems distracted; later, Martin's confusion and rambling statements only add to his wife's frustration. Webster plays Stevie as described by her husband before she learns of his betrayal: "bright, resourceful, intrepid," and as blissfully happy now as when first married. Webster then bares the depths of Stevie's emotional agony. Her denial, wrath, and outrage over Martin's actions compel her to destroy the couple's aesthetically pleasing, tastefully chic home (smartly built by Bradley Kaye) piece by piece. In the process, Mazor builds up the full comedic and dramatic potential of Albee's scaldingly funny yet dead-serious text.
Presented by and at the Chance Theater, 5552 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills. Sep. 25-Oct. 24. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. (Added Oct. 21, 8 p.m.) (714) 777-3033. www.chancetheater.com.