Who Knew Family Values Could Be So Funny? Sex and other postmodern themes BY KORI RODLEY-IRONS Period pieces always tell us more about the present than any bygone era, and The Sex Habits of American Women is no exception. Don't let the title of Julie Marie Myatt's retro reexamination fool you: this play isn't as much about sex as an activity as it is a digestible satire of some major postmodern themes — gender, patriarchy, identity and capitalism. Like many folks with no dramatic talent of my own, I expect a great deal from actors. I sit ensconced in my dark seat in hopes of warming my stiff cerebral self on the physical flames of the actors' talent, even in community theater productions. I am happy to report that this cast did not disappoint me. David Stuart Bull leads the show as the puffy patriarch Dr. Fritz Tittles, a heaving and huffing psychiatry professor with a German accent. The women players provide the true delights, however. Diane Johnson is believable and earthy as Agnes Tittles, the unapologetic mother, wife and lover. Elizabeth Helman plays her daughter, Daisy, to aggressively neurotic perfection. Both women seem to be simmering with unreleased sexual energy and desperately in need of an object to help them unveil themselves. Newcomers Bryan Scott as Edgar and Bethany Osborn-Koch as the näive and perky young neighbor Ruth round out the cast. While Dr. Tittles struggles to write the "best damn sex book," passing himself off as an expert on female sexuality, the family drama unfolds amidst the clink of cocktail glasses and the fluffing of sofa pillows on Tara B. Wenger's tidy and functional set. For added depth, the storyline is juxtaposed with a modern video element. This contributes a true postmodern Kinsey-esque element to the evening. The creative design team, led by Director Kimberly Colburn have really put together an entertaining package with this production. Despite a bit of too-rapid delivery in the early dialogue, the mid-century modern "look" of The Sex Habits of American Women is an opportunity to experience new theater well-crafted by local talent. The Sex Habits of American Women continues Thursday May 15,19-21, 25-27 and June 1-3. For tickets call 465-1506. $8-$16.
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