PHOTO BY T. CHARLES ERICKSON OF BEYOND THERAPY AT THE WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE
Beyond Therapy
By Christopher Durang. Directed by David Kennedy. Scenic design by Lee Savage. Costume design by Jennifer Caprio. Lighting design by Jeff Croiter. Sound design by John Gromada. Stage manager: Matthew Melchoirre. Performed by Jeremy Peter Johnson (Bruce), Nicole Lowrance (Prudence), Trent Dawson (Stuart), Kathleen McNenny (Charlotte), Stephen Wallem (Bob) and Nick Gehlfuss (Andrew).
Through May 14 at the Westport Country Playhouse.
I reviewed this show for The Fairfield County Weekly, here.
Rather than duplicate myself, here’s a web-friendly list of references and punchlines which may help you decide if this decidedly ‘70s-vintage comedy is for you. The onslaught of pop-culture iconography in the play will have you reaching for the Trivial Pursuit board.
Most of the items listed below come directly from Durang’s script. A few, such as the Warhol portrait and the tune “76 Trombones” (in a lounge-music rendition) are unique to this production.
Constantine (in Chekhov’s The Seagull)
Joyce DeWitt (Three’s Company)
Kierkegaard, Mahler, Joan Didion
Jack Lemmon in Some Like It Hot
Sunday Bloody Sunday (Murray Head, Peter Finch, Glenda Jackson)