Beyond Therapy
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Friday, March 1, 2002
Sun News C-1 Help yourself, see 'Beyond Therapy' |
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Sun News
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If you're feeling a little stir crazy or your therapist is driving you up the wall, No Strings Theatre may have the cure. Its latest production, "Beyond Therapy," lampoons psychiatrists, their patients and human relationships in general. The cast includes some of the areas best comedic actors, and Christopher Durang's script is replete with snappy, laugh-inducing dialogue. Britney Bunker plays Prudence, a beautiful but very insecure
young woman. Bunker, who first ventured onto the stage just
a few years ago, has developed into a fine actress whose credits
include not only No Strings and Las Cruces Community Theater
productions but Shakespeare on the rocks, El Paso's annual Shakespeare
festival. Romantic comedy is her strength, and she shines as
Prudence. Eric Young plays Bruce, her new love interest, and the two
have a playful sort of chemistry that works well with the scenarios.
Bruce has been in a long-term same-sex relationship with Bob
and has decided he's bisexual and has been dating women via
the personal ads. Young's killer smile and natural charm make
the whole situation quite believable. Enter the professionals. Patrick Payne seems to really enjoy his role as Stuart, Prudence's
womanizing therapist, and turns in a top-flight performance
just minutes after he plays very different roles in LCCT's One
Act Play Festival, which is showing just up the block. Payne
performs in "This is a Chair," which opens at 7 p.m.,
then dashes to the Black Box for "Beyond Therapy,"
which opens at 8 p.m. That's what you called dedicated - or
crazy. Bruce's flighty, often disoriented therapist, Charlotte, is
played by Margie Eller, who has entertained local audiences
in many productions, her most memorable being the role of Miss
Tweed, the Miss Marple-like character in "Something's Afoot"
at LCCT. Eller's Charlotte is loony and likable. The always hilarious Brandon Brown plays Bruce's other lover,
who is not happy with Bruce's decision to explore other options.
Brown does petulance to perfection and works well with both
Young and Bunker. They make an unbeatable comedic trio. Mike Cook makes the most of his supporting role as Andrew,
the waiter. Though Durang's dysfunctional characters may seem absurd and
over-the-top at times, many people will identify with their
problems - and that's what makes this play work. Everyone has
experienced loneliness at one time or another. First-rate acting and director Bradd Howard's skill at casting
and getting the best from his actors makes this a show worth
watching. It does contain language and subject matter that may
be offensive to some people and it is not suitable for children. "Beyond Therapy" continues through March 10 at the Black Box Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Thursdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 regular and $6 for students and seniors over 65, and all seats Thursdays are $5. Reservations are recommended and may be made by phone (505) 523-1223 or online at http://www.zianet.com/nstcbbt. |
Bob (played by Brandon Brown), Prudence (played by Britney Bunker), and Bruce (played by Eric Young)
Bruce (played by Eric Young), and Charlotte (played by Margie Eller)
Bruce (played by Eric Young), and Charlotte (played by Margie Eller)
Bruce (played by Eric Young), Bob (played by Brandon Brown) and Prudence (played by Britney Bunker)
Charlotte (played by Margie Eller)
Prudence (played by Britney Bunker), Charlotte (played by Margie Eller), Andrew (played by Mike Cook), Stuart (played by Patrick Payne), Bruce (played by Eric Young), and Bob (played by Brandon Brown)
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