Fifty Words

Be afraid, be very afraid ... of marriage. Weller expertly captures the realistic and intimate dialog of a couple, from Brooklyn, in the throws of an emotional train wreck. During the course of one night, he flirts and tries to seducer her away from her bitterness and distance while she throws up roadblock after roadblock to keep him at a safe distance. The bumps and, sometimes violent, collisions are stereotypical - arguements about their son (momentarily safe at a sleepover in Staten Island), work stress, innuendos about affairs, dirty talk about how they first met and screwed. The dialog and action is raw and the actors are amazingly bare and real. But what the ^&(*%^? Why do I have to sit and watch a couple being cruel to each other?

In the Talk Back after the performance, the writer and director were there. It was interesting to see the process (this is the second in a play trilogy - I say no more because I hate spoilers) but I still have trouble finding couples could see this and think, "I can relate." and then think a healthy relationship can survive such brawls and tension and be better for it. The writer showed an optimistic viewpoint but given that one of the questioners didn't know how the couple's relationship stood at the end of the play, I interpret this optimism of something individual and not part of the work as written. In fact, two women behind me were going off on how misogynistic the writing was, and I sort of agree. Regardless of who is nastier and meaner in the relationship, one thing it screams loud and clear to me - as a single woman I should stay single if this is the alternative; I'd be so much happier and healthier.