Fans of SAT-type analogies might agree that Christopher Durang is to 1980s theater as Augusten Burroughs is to 2000s memoirs: In their work, both exhibit a sublime appreciation of the absurd, a studied ability to outrage and an oddly therapeutic sense of personal redemption. They write because their interior demons demand it—the rest of us are just along for the bitterly hilarious ride.
Durang’s Baby With the Bathwater deals with the same kind of insane-upbringing issues as Burrough’s Running With Scissors. John and Helen (Jared and Tiffany Greathouse) decide to rear their child as a girl without bothering to check the plumbing. Fortunately, help is on the way in the form of Nanny (Elise C. Hanson), a demented anti-Poppins. And the aforementioned bitter hilarity—along with much therapy—ensues.
The Hive Theatre Company’s production runs three evenings only, so don’t blink or you’ll miss it. (Brandon Burt)
The Hive Theatre Company: Baby With the Bathwater @ The Sugar Space, 616 E. Wilmington Ave. (2190 South), 888-300-7898, Oct. 6-8, 8 p.m., $10. TheHiveTheatre.blogspot.com, TheSugarSpace.com
Date: Oct 6, 2011
Time: 8 pm
Phone: 888-300-7898
Address: 616 E Wilmington Ave (2190 South), Salt Lake City, 84106
Where: Sugar Space
