Much-needed vacation

'Betty's Summer Vacation' provides entertaining break

Amy Paterson / senior photographer Students act in 'Betty's Summer Vacation', which debuted Tuesday night at Theatre II and runs through Saturday with performances each night at 8 p.m.

The very definition of a dark comedy could be found in the scenes of "Betty's Summer Vacation," Theatre II's newest production, which debuted Tuesday night. Written by Tony Award-nominated Chris Durang, the play casts a heavy social commentary on the voyeuristic quality our society has adapted.

"Betty," which was produced by this semester's Experimental Theatre 488 class, was directed by the course's professor, Tom King.

The play centers on Betty, played by junior Aiko Yasuhara, who, along with her chatty friend Trudy, played by junior Rachel Bauder, has purchased a time share for the summer at the beach. At first glance, the audience might think that this play will be as smooth as the sound of the ocean playing lazily in the background; however, as soon as the girls arrive at their condominium, they meet an unlikely hodgepodge of roommates and the play's true comedy and drama ensues.

The girls' housemates are an array of interesting characters. One housemate is a dumb sex fiend, Buck, played by senior Jamie Linn, who seems to have been caught in the decade of neon colors and has adopted a "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" accent. Another is the oddly paranoid and exclusive Keith, played by senior Dan Cullen, who the women believe to be a serial killer. The landlady, Ms. Siezmagraff, played by senior Stephanie Jones, is the melodramatic figurehead of the clan and also makes an appearance. The cast is completed by Mr. Vanislaw, played by senior Connor Fux, the derelict/streaker Ms. Siezmagraff invites to dinner for fun.

Oh, and one more thing: the ceiling talks using three different voices, which are provided by three hidden actors, seniors Leigh Diveris, Kevin Murphy and Sean Galdo, who each provides a "laugh track" to the scenes that the onstage characters create.

"Betty" has a fun set — built to replicatethe living room and kitchen of the summer share house — and has no walls, just curtains. The play instead hangs three doors from the ceiling to help the audience imagine where the outer rooms might be. Nestled with the play's other oddities and oddball characters, the floating doors seem appropriate.

Although the play is set in the present, the costumes were chosen to make a statement about each character, from the acid-wash short shorts of Buck to Mr. Vanislaw's sole piece of clothing, a raincoat, to the flamboyant hues of the outrageous dresses worn by Ms. Seizmagraff.

"Betty" is a gleaming example of the comedic talents found in the theatre department, due to its fast-paced one-liners and over-the-top characters. The play has the usual intense sexual humor of many of Theatre II's productions — including pornographic photographs and full backside nudity. "Betty"'s sexual material may seem more appropriate for mature audiences. However, "Betty" also covers issues such as rape, murder and relationships.

Durang wrote an interesting script, but it is the cast that shines. Jones steals the much-deserved spotlight with her physical comedy. Cullen and Bauder, although sometimes underscored by other characters, are wonderful in supporting roles. Linn delivers the funniest portrayal as the sex-driven Buck. Fux's wild-eyed glances and charades performance are excellent, and Yasuhara maintains Betty's voice of reason well.

However, the most surprising acts in the show are the ones that the audience only hears — the laugh track voices of Murphy, Galdo and Diveris. Creating a persona that, for most of the show, is based only on the sound of their voices, the laugh track voices interrupt the characters' dialogues with witty and startling jokes. When the voices finally do appear, it is Murphy whose rendering is the most distinct, with its refreshing charisma.

"Betty's Summer Vacation" is a dark comedy about even darker subject matter.

"The show comments on our society's fascination with humanity — with violence and with stories that you see on shows like 'Jerry Springer," Yasuhara said.

Despite the underlying themes, "Betty" is so well-written, well-staged and well-acted that it's immensely enjoyable and boasts several surprises that make live theater much more fun than the movies.

Although the audience might wonder how Durang managed to find humor in issues that are socially taboo, it's no surprise that the audience will leave the theater not only thinking about the issues presented, but smiling as well.

"Betty's Summer Vacation" is showing at Theatre II through Saturday, March 27. All shows begin at 8 p.m. All tickets are $3.