Photo Source: Carly Kennelly
Evelyn (Broadway veteran Janice Lynde), a recently divorced 50-something woman, decides to spend her birthday having sex with 25-year-old Thorn (John Roderick Davidson), whom she met that morning via the Internet. Great plan, with one exception: Both of her grown children decide to come by for a surprise visit. When Olivia (Michelle Glavan); her brother, Tim (Jacob Crumbine); and Tim's girlfriend Sarah (Kristen Rozanski) appear, they are horrified by Evelyn's plan and try to stop her. Adding to the chaos is a surprise gift for Evelyn: a male stripper (Zack Gold).
What starts as a wonderful premise for a farce quickly devolves into a dull family drama, as Evelyn has to fight with her children for the right to have sex. Gambling's dialogue is trite, and the situations are without dramatic thrust. The only bright light in the production is Rozanski, who, despite a very small role, manages to bring a sublime comic touch. She makes the most lemonade out of this lemon.
Presented by Teaspoon Productions as part of the New York International Fringe Festival
at the Cherry Pit, 155 Bank St., NYC. Aug. 13–19. Remaining performance: Thu., Aug. 19, 9:45 p.m. (866) 468-7619 or www.fringenyc.com.