Tempory
Help Inspired by sensational headlines, Temporary Help has seductive characters reminiscent of Tennessee Williams and plot twists pulled from classic noir thrillers, combined into an intriguingly complex psychological suspense story. The stellar acting in the Revelation Theater production raises the material to a hilarious black comedy. Margaret Colin and Robert Cuccioli star as Faye and Karl Streber, a Midwestern couple who run a secluded, small farm. The play opens with an oddly funny scene as Karl ties up the body of a farmhand he has just murdered. The sheriff (William Prael) arrives to ask Faye questions about a disappearance while Karl shoves the body bag under the kitchen sink. She uses her seductiveness and the sheriff's vulnerability to her flirtations to hold him still. Karl uses his goofy charm and intimidating masculinity to dodge questions about drifters who may or may not have worked on the farm. The mutual allure of the couple is enough to understand how they can get away with capital crimes, and it draws the audience into their contemptible story. Once the new farmhand Vincent (Chad Allen) is hired and subsequently hidden from the sight of townspeople, we learn about Faye's tendency to seduce the hired help. She is unhappy with her marriage to a dangerous man, trapped on the very farm she inherited. Her adultery enrages Karl, but he has his own motives for disposing of employees as he abuses their identities in a continuous scheme to keep the struggling farm afloat. The play then evolves into something we have seen before a basic love triangle with a dangerous husband. Psychological twists build the complexity of the situation in the second half, though, as additional plot developments are continually surprising. The sheriff commences a careless investigation and Vincent's temptations switch back and forth as he learns additional information about the couple. Individual plot elements are not entirely original, but the play effectively brings them together into a captivating and often funny whole. The three main characters strangely develop a loving camaraderie in the house, and something inside each of them seems satisfied. Unfortunately, neither of them can be content with that joy, where darker self-satisfying concerns become irresistible. As Karl, Cuccioli brings most of the comedy and tension to the play as he convincingly merges irresistible bravado with mounting anger. Allen, as Vincent, effectively combines naiveté with a sense of imminent danger arousing in his character. Vincent is obviously dangerous, but also appealing since he has suffered abuse in his own life and understandably distrusts everyone. Colin, with an enticing drawl that veers from the stereotypical Southern
accent, creates a character that is difficult to resist. Despite Faye's
devious nature and inability to control her worst habits, ColinŒs
beguiling vulnerability brings sympathy to any unfortunate character.
In the hands of less talented actors, the material in Temporary Help
might come off as depressingly dark, and maybe even a bit too familiar.
It is the clever melding of many suspenseful twists with superbly acted
comedy that keeps the play exciting and entertaining |