Boxing Lessons

Reviewed by Lovell Estell III
New American Theatre
Extended through June 30

The terminally damaged clan on display in John Bunzel’s dark comedy convincingly affirms that oft quoted adage of Tolstoy’s that “every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way”.

The play is set in a remote cabin in Puget Sound that was once the home of a famous author, whose death under mysterious circumstances has brought his family together to resolve matters about his estate. We know something unusual is afoot when the play starts and we first see daughter Judy (Eve Danzeisen) attentively eyeballing a large dildo in her hand that she hastily stashes when her brother Ned (Luke McClure) galumphs into the room from out of town.

It is evident from the start that there is no love lost between them. No condolence hugs or kisses, just lots of nasty remarks and insinuations. Ned is concerned with finding out the circumstances of his father’s death, while Judy has her eyes fixed on finding a will and possibly some easy money. As it turns out, their dad was found nude on the beach, his clothes scattered about, and without half of his head, which understandably piques the suspicions of Sheriff Bob (Eric Curtis Johnson), who informs the siblings that dad’s corpse is reposed in a freezer in the local fish store.

The pot starts to really boil when dad’s self-obsessed, snooty ex-wife Meg (Susan Wilder), who is no stranger to booze and prescription drugs (as is daughter Judy), pops in with her special needs son Steve (Stephen Tyler Howell) in tow and immediately draws the ire of Ned and Judy, both of whom despise her because of past parental transgressions, among other things. With her expensive tastes and well-born pedigree, she also has her eye on any looming financial windfall. fRounding out this unhappy gathering is the later arrival of Billy (Bruce Nozick), the author’s longtime friend.

Dad’s untimely death and matters concerning his estate at times seem to take a backseat to all the bickering, score-settling and blistering animosity that swirls onstage. It’s a good set-up for laughs, and Bunzel mines it for all it’s worth, in conjunction with a carousel of zany plot twists and revelations. It’s mostly funny and entertaining, capably directed by Jack Stehlin, whose cast turn in spirited performances. John Iacovelli’s cabin interior is superbly crafted, and Josephine Wang does an effective job with the lighting schema.

The New American Theatre, 1312 N. Wilton Pl., Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. on May 26 & Jun. 2; extended through Jun. 30. www.newamericantheatre.com or (310) 424-2980. Running time: approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.