David Landsberg's new play takes a while to work up sufficient comic impetus to atone for a ludicrous framing device. There's little point in having the characters in a frothy sex comedy break through the fourth wall, adhering to a gimmick wherein the main character's behavior is supposedly constantly scrutinized by people "out there." Get past this obtrusive malarkey, and there's an enjoyable time to be had at this saucy and bawdy farce with a Woody Allen edge. Its portrait of an average-Joe accountant whose attempts to forge a meaningful balance of sex and love in his life put him in contact with quirky characters who are trying to sort out their own psychological baggage.
Though Stan (Jeff Marlow) believes he's in love with his aspiring-actor girlfriend Denise (Amy Handelman), supporting her alleged career and luxurious lifestyle while eking out a meager living as a numbers-cruncher, his patience is wearing thin. The breaking point is reached when she brings home a hunky acting-class partner (Steve Coombs) for a rehearsal, and they moan and groan their way through their lusty "scene" all over the apartment. After Stan tosses Denise out, his supportive pal Larry (Peter Story) introduces him to a would-be nymphomaniac (Dana Green), who's also on a relationship rebound. When that pairing fails, Larry has surprising news for Stan about a secret admirer, and before long Larry's neglected wife, Jennifer (Mandy June Turpin), becomes enmeshed in the labyrinth of mixups.
Landsberg scores biting satirical jabs on insecurities and follies within the yuppie mating game. The spry cast has fun with the dicey gag lines and zany complications. Marlow is a formidable straight man, mastering his character's blustery exasperation. Handelman is properly contemptible as the self-centered wannabe thespian, and Green is a delight as the conflicted seductress. Coombs excels as the unprincipled stud, and Turpin makes the most of her small but amusing role. Story enhances his lovable-lug character with expert timing and droll delivery. Except for a sluggish 20 minutes or so at the outset, director Susan Morgenstern keeps the pace crisp and the laughs flowing.
Presented by and at the Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Dr., Burbank. Feb. 6–Mar. 1. Wed.–Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 4 p.m. (818) 955-8101 or Falcon Theatre.