Review: Encore Theatre District's BEYOND THERAPY is a Fine Production.

Christopher Durang's plays are an acquired taste that I doubt I'll ever succeed in acquiring. BEYOND THERAPY is not only bizarre, but I consider it hopelessly dated. Nevertheless, I found a lot to like in Encore Theatre District's production, including the fine acting and directing, and innovative staging.

Encore Theatre District, which is finishing its first season, performs in the Black Box Theatre at Palm Springs High School. The venue is set as if it were a football stadium, with no seats in the end zones. As a result, unlike in a theater-in-the-round, the audience has at least a side view of the action. Yet, the theater is also small enough that I felt part of the action. Director Tiffanie Patscheck takes full advantage of the space to place different scenes in different parts of the stage, providing a viewing perspective that audience members rarely get.

I personally find the script offensive. This is partially because the show is dated, having first opened on January 1, 1981, when Ronald Reagan was still president-elect. Playwright Durang does not seem to have been using his homophobic characters as Archie Bunkers, to show the wrongness of prejudice. Instead, the script implies that he shared their views. The negative references to gay people made me squirm, and the "affair" between psychiatrist and patient infuriated me, because of the blase way Durang portrayed it.

According to Encore's mission statement, the company is dedicated to "[i]ntegrating diversity through the performing arts while inspiring surrounding communities." As a result, the company uses nontraditional casting. The play's protagonists, Prudence (Katrina Dixon, a talented newcomer whom I hope we'll be seeing more of) and Bruce (Brent Anderson); incompetent therapist Charlotte Wallace (Adina Lawson, who once again shows her comic chops); and Andrew the waiter (Fernie Vera, who proves his talent in his small role), could all be cast in their roles in a more traditional company. However, the casting is nontraditional - even daring - for Bruce's significant other, Bob Lansky, and for horny, unethical psychiatrist, Dr. Stuart Framingham, who has an "affair" with his patient, Prudence. Specifically, Manuel Rincon plays Bob - who is obviously intended to be Jewish, complete with a stereotypical Jewish mother - is a person of color who speaks heavily accented English. The actor playing Dr. Framingham, Garnett Smith, a talented comic actor well-known to Coachella Valley audiences, is a white man who might have been cast as Dr. Framingham in a traditional theatre, thirty years ago. However, according to IMDb, Mr. Smith is eighty years old, and unlikely to be the object of lust for a young woman, such as Prudence. Mr. Rincon's and Mr. Smith's playing these roles gives audiences the opportunity to think about their own ideas about casting, and whether or not appearance and vocal presentation are part of successful casting.

I do disagree with the interpretation that Mr. Anderson and director Patscheck provide for the Bruce Lanthrop character, and Ms. Patscheck's and Mr. Rincon's interpretation of Bob, although I hope no one views my disagreement as a reflection on either actor's acting skill. Bruce and Bob are prone to going into a meltdown at the drop of a hat. However, between emotional outbursts, Mr. Anderson plays Bruce as a calm, seemingly rational individual. I would have preferred to see him fighting with his emotional self even during his "calm" periods. Bob is an outsized character, and Mr. Rincon generally plays him that way, with great spirit and humor. However, Mr. Rincon tends to speak slowly and clearly even when Bob is in the middle of an outburst; I would have preferred him to speak more excitedly at those moments. However, I emphasize that these are my personal views regarding interpretation, and not criticism of acting skills.

When I asked how the play speaks to today's audiences, other than to show how Americans previously viewed gay people and misogyny, director Patscheck told me in an email, "As far as we've come, [the play's] opinions are still strong with many." However, she emphasizes that Encore chose BEYOND THERAPY for a different reason. Specifically, nutty therapist Charlotte Wallace talks about "how we must approach future relationships. 'There is no Prince Charming, that's crap.' " Ms. Patscheck adds, "We thought the show really opens many people's eyes to looking past some cosmically funny imperfections and just joining with someone whom you adore."

The cast is filled with talented performers who all do a fine job with their roles and who provide a great deal of laughs during the play. Ms. Patscheck has the actors engage in some very funny visual business, much of it involving glasses of water and a yoga-obsessed therapist, which alone are worth seeing.

Encore Theatre District is providing a welcome addition to the Coachella Valley theatre scene. I hope audiences take the opportunity to attend the company's production of BEYOND THERAPY.

BEYOND THERAPY will play on Friday and Saturday, May 25th and 26th, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, May 27th, at 2 p.m., at the Black Box Theater, Palm Springs High School, 2248 East Ramon Road, Palm Springs, CA 92264. Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets for $21.69, www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3325380. For more information, see www.facebook.com/encoretheatredistrict/events or call 760-999-0052. Next up is an adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ - this ain't your grandma's Oz.

Photo Credit: Jonathan Hill

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