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HOLLYWOOD
REPORTER
TEMPORARY HELP /Womens Project Theater
A lurid, sexy melodrama of the type too rarely seen on the
New York stage anymore (this sort of material has been co-opted
by television), David Wiltse's play doesn't convince for a
split second, which is a neat trick considering that it's
inspired by a true story.
But this tale of a murderous Midwestern farming couple embroiled
in a nasty psychosexual struggle with their possibly equally
homicidal farmhand offers some juicy, albeit lowbrow pleasures
along the way, as well as several entertaining performances,
most notably from a sultry Margaret Colin and a scenery-chewing
Robert Cuccioli. The production marks the inaugural effort
of the just-formed Revelation Theater, which plans to move
into its own digs early next year.
Cuccioli, best known for his triumphant Jekyll and Hyde in
the recent Broadway musical hit, plays Karl Streber, who lives
with his gorgeous wife, Faye (Colin), in an isolated farmhouse
on the plains of Nebraska. Newly arrived on their homestead
is their latest farmhand, a drifter with the unlikely name
of Vincent Castelnuovo-Tedesco (Chad Allen of "Dr. Quinn,
Medicine Woman"). Vincent is but the latest of the couple's
many hired hands, whose tendency to suddenly disappear would
normally attract the suspicion of the local sheriff (William
Prael), except that he's blinded by his attraction to Faye,
who tends to spend much of her time clad in little more than
a slip.
It isn't long after Vincent's arrival that he and Faye are
embroiled in a passionate affair, with Faye desirous of his
help in doing away with her abusive husband, whose violent
tendencies are brought out to an ever greater degree by his
far younger romantic rival. But who is allied with whom is
never made exactly clear in the twisting plot, and there are
more than a few surprises by the time the play reaches its
violent conclusion. Narrative coherency, credible plotting
and consistent characterizations are not this play's strong
suits, but the darkly comic dialogue and lusty performances,
as well as director Leslie L. Smith's physically charged staging,
provide for an entertaining evening of Gothic pleasures. Credit
must also go to the performers. Colin, who could inspire just
about any red-blooded male to murder, is fascinatingly ambiguous
as the seductive Faye, providing a nice contrast to Cuccioli's
entertainingly over-the-top turn as her nasty spouse. Allen,
more than a little reminiscent here of Brad Pitt in "Thelma
& Louise," offers an intriguing mixture of menace and befuddlement
as their possible victim.
TEMPORARY HELP Revelation Theater in association with
Eileen T'Kaye Credits:
Playwright: David Wiltse
Director: Leslie L. Smith
Set designer: Troy Hourie
Costume designer: Mattie Ullrich
Lighting designer: Chris Dallos
Sound designer: David A. Arnold
Cast: Karl Streber: Robert Cuccioli
Faye Streber: Margaret Colin
Vincent Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Chad Allen
Ron Stucker: William Prael
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Margaret Colin & Chad Allen in Temporary Help
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