At first blush, "Bluff" at Lansing's BoarsHead Theater appears to be yet another variation of the typical "boy meets girl" story that has fueled playwrights and entertained theatergoers for centuries. But only seconds into the performance, Jeffrey Sweet's quirky, modern-day comedy/drama is revealed as anything but.
A gay bashing outside his West Village apartment brings Neal, a handsome, young attorney (played by Max Shulman), face-to-face with Emily (Prentiss Benjamin), who – because of the bat he's carrying – mistakes him for the mugger. The two are attracted to one another, and once the misconception is cleared up, Neal and Emily begin an affair that soon results in the two combining their lives into a single household – hers – without benefit of marriage. Their bliss begins to unravel, however, with the arrival of Gene (John Astin), Emily's "mother's husband." (She refuses to call him her step-father, although he's been part of her family since Emily was 9 years old.) A West Coast-based dental supplies salesman, Gene is a somewhat crusty, yet personable soul, whose arrival in New York to attend a sales convention stirs long-simmering anxieties in Emily. But he also comes bearing a prophetic recommendation for Neal. Will he heed Gene's unsolicited advice? Or ignore it?
While Sweet's script sheds little new light on the complexities of human and sexual relationships, the method through which he delivers his message is quite fascinating. Not a straight-forward or traditional play, the author pulls from his bag of tricks several tools to draw the audience into the action. The invisible fourth wall, for example, is constantly broken (and possibly the fifth, if there is such a thing), as the both his characters AND the actors directly address the audience. (Actress Julie Sihilling stops the plot dead in its tracks not once, but twice to comment on her participation – or lack thereof – in the unfolding story, and both occurrences are delightfully executed.) Another is to skip over – but still explain – the "boring" parts of the story.
But it's Sweet's ear for dialogue and how he doles out (and builds upon) the plot's meatier elements that keep audiences riveted to their seats.
The role of Gene is particularly well crafted, with dollops of wisdom and insight offered at unexpected moments, and rambling discourses that ultimately drive a point home quite sharply.
It's a role well suited for Astin, whose sly grins, expressive eyes and natural delivery add color to this already colorful character. (You can't help but laugh when Gene, after a long and winding discourse, asks, "Does there always have to be a point to the story?" Yes, which Sweet, Gene and Astin all make quite clear.)
Benjamin and Shulman are thoroughly believable as the couple – as evidenced by Shulman's marriage proposal to Benjamin on stage following the opening night performance. (Stunned, she said yes!)
Fine support is provided by Linda Setzer and Anthony Blaha.
Direction by James Glossman and all technical elements serve the show well.
REVIEW:
'Bluff'
BoarsHead Theater, 425 S. Grand Ave., Lansing. Wednesday-Sunday through July 26. $12-$30. 517-484-7805. http://www.boarshead.org.
