BWW Reviews: Turn Off Your Brain (Mostly) and Enjoy (Thoroughly) THE LIAR at Artists Rep

If you're a fan of new adaptations of 400-year-old plays, then you've surely been in hog heaven this season! We've had THE SCHOOL FOR LIES by David Ives, a couple of new takes on Shakespeare, and now THE LIAR, a David Ives translaptation of Pierre Corneille's 1640's French play.

What is a translaptation, you are no doubt wondering. David Ives describes what he has done as "a translation with a heavy dose of adaptation." Here, his goal was not so much to translate THE LIAR, but rather to write the play as Corneille might have done were he writing it today.

A brief overview of the plot: Dorante, who can't open his mouth without lying, arrives in Paris, and proceeds to have a very busy 24 hours or so. He spots the beautiful Lucrece (or is it Clarice?) in the street and immediately falls in love with her. The rest of the play involves his various machinations to woo her.

In the opening monologue, Cliton (played by Artists Rep Resident Artist John San Nicolas), a beggar who Dorante (Chris Murray) hires as his valet, tells us to "turn off our brains" and enjoy the play. It is half-good advice. The play is a comedy -- made for pure enjoyment -- so you'll definitely want to turn off thinking about work or anything else that might hamper your ability to let go and laugh. But it's also written in verse -- rhymed iambic pentameter -- and it moves very quickly, so you'll need at least some brain activity to keep up with the fast-flying rhymes being thrown about the stage.

With its rapid-fire pace and demanding cadence, THE LIAR is an exercise in precision with no room for error. This is no problem, however, for the excellent cast. Chris Murray is charismatic and charming as Dorante. The rhymes flow easily off his tongue, and even with his ridiculous outfit, it's easy to see how you could fall for his lies. As Clarice, Amy Newman (who is nominated for, and well deserves, the Drammy Award for her performance in Artists Rep's TRIBES earlier this season) displays an impressive range and versatility. The scene-that-is-worth-the-price-of-the-ticket is one in which Clarice disguises herself as Lucrece and attempts to get the scoop on Dorante. And then there is Allen Nause, who is just so unbelievably cute as Dorante's earnest and gullible father Geronte -- he's this production's equivalent of an adorable puppy (or kitten, whichever you prefer).

Despite all of the silliness, THE LIAR isn't just a mindless comedy. Buried under the all of that are some universal truths about love, honesty, and human relationships. But don't worry, there are enough fart jokes to keep any hint of seriousness at bay.

THE LIAR runs through June 21. For tickets, visit http://www.artistsrep.org.

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