NEW YORK—Skeletons in the family closet rattle ominously in Neil LaBute's "In a Dark Dark House," but the results are somewhat less than what they should be.
Terry (Frederick Weller), a rather rough and unkempt man in his late 30s, has come to visit his younger brother Drew (Ron Livingston) at a court-ordered private psychiatric faculty. A lawyer, Drew has managed to ruin his life at every turn, with alcohol, illegal dealings, and an unwillingness to accept responsibilities for his actions.
In trouble with the law again, Drew has summoned Terry (whom he seldom sees) to tell him a terrible secret. When they were kids, he was molested by a family friend who stayed with them one summer. Seeing this as the root of his problems, he needs Terry to corroborate his story so he'll get a lighter sentence.
However, given Drew's history for duplicity, one has to wonder if he's actually telling the truth. There's also the question about what secrets and scars of his own Terry has from that time long ago.
This is an interesting tale of family responsibilities and how certain actions can affect the course of one's life. Unfortunately, the answers are telegraphed long before they're actually revealed, taking away much of the suspense of the piece. In addition, one major segment of the play, featuring Terry and the 16-year-old daughter (Louisa Krause) of the man who may have molested Drew, while nicely played, is not really needed. A few sentences of dialogue later on would have accomplished the same effect, which figures into the final moments of the play.
What does work are the numerous layers of tension and history between the two brothers as long-buried anger and unresolved issues finally come to the surface. Weller, onstage for the entire 90-minute work, is magnificent; portraying a man with secrets, pain, and the dangerous aura of a ticking time bomb. He's also smarter and much more cunning than one gives him credit for.
Livingston is adequate as Drew, but he's hamstrung by the limitations of the character, who seems incapable of showing any real emotions or pain (at least until Terry forces it out of him). Krause offers a nice combination of sexuality and innocence in her scene with Weller, one which seems to be there only to add about 20 minutes to the work.
Carolyn Cantor's direction is good as are the sets by Beowulf Broitt and lighting by Ben Stanton. "In a Dark Dark House" presents an intriguing story and a titanic performance, but several basic flaws in the script cripple the work's effectiveness.
In a Dark Dark House
Presented by Manhattan Class Company
Lucille Lortel Theatre
121 Christopher Streetbr>
Tickets: 212-279-4200 or http://www.ticketcentral.com
Closes: July 7
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