Bad Date Theater III

Now in its third iteration, Bad Date Theater 3, offers up Bob Korbett's twisted sense of humor in selecting six short pieces for a Valentine's Day celebration. Korbett Kompany Productions brings these strange bits of humor to North Park Vaudeville and Candy Shop stage for a three-weekend run.

He starts the program with How He Lied to Her Husband, by George Bernard Shaw. Gareth Fisher plays the gardener to Tori King, a well-to-do wife in need of a bit of bedroom pleasure. Bob Korbett plays her husband, a truly strange, over-the-top proper Englishman. Intro'd with the theme for "Desperate Housewives," it is a topical take-off on the show, even though it was written in 1903. Shaw was certainly thinking ahead.

Joe Pintauro's Rex has been transformed from a heterosexual couple to two male vegetarians. One hit a pheasant with his car and tried to save it. What transpires is a sick little comedy about road kill, relationships and the dilemma faced by these non-meat-eaters. Orlando Franklin and Chris Azhocar, Jr. have some interesting moments as Eric and Joe.

Alan Ball, who created "Six Feet Under," wrote My Mother's Butt. The title suggests a theme that is not much more than a footnote to this well-crafted piece. Lisa Goodman is a psychologist treating a client, played by Anthony G. Ross, who has a love affair with clothes. Goodman is an almost invisible shrink, professionally prodding her client. Ross hilariously speaks of his passionate love for a pair of shoes, a belt, and almost anything else he wears. Of course, these loves are rooted in his mother joining him in a bathtub. Go figure!

Ben Rosenthal created a little piece entitled Welcome Back, Buddy Combs about a young man returning from Marine Corps basic training, which he failed, to find his best friend shacking up with his wife. Or was it all a big joke? It is a highly sexually charged play, which obscures realities and hides (and then doesn't) truths (or are they fantasies?). Kristina Meek is Beverly, the wife. Meek says as much with a look and a reaction as she does with Rosenthal's words. Marcus Vaughn plays husband Buddy, who has a hard time finding reality. Demetrius Green is Wayne, the alleged best friend. The mood is electric throughout.

Waterborn, first published last year, is Edith L. Freni's take on the reactions to the birthing process. Marc (Nick Mata) thinks that Leslie (Brooke Emery) should have a natural birth in a birthing tank. Leslie takes umbrage at this and feels that a hospital with a full line of drugs makes much more sense. What transpires in good theater, nicely acted. Emery's generally fast delivery, strong with emotion, contrasts with Mata's modulated presentation.

This year's bad dates end with the delightful, crowd pleasing, The Problem, written by A. R. Gurney, Jr. As with much of what Gurney has written, there are so many plot twists you almost need a literary road map. A synopsis of the play states, "Couple plays psychological games revolving around a seemingly unsolvable problem." Lisa Goodman is the wife and Daniel A. Gapp the husband. She is very pregnant with another man's child, quite possible a black child, which would be hard to explain to this very proper white couple. Sorry, no more about the plot.

Bad Date Theater 3 is, as with most multi-play presentations, a mixed bag. The talent runs from tyro to extremely accomplished. The final play and the two talented actors are absolutely worth the price of admission.