“Poor Behavior” Plays at Oil Lamp Theater

By Cate Rees-Hessel

“Poor Behavior”, currently running at Oil Lamp Theater in downtown Glenview, is billed as a dark comedy, but I feel it is more of a serious drama with some comedic moments. This play is both edgy and gritty, laced with cynicism and raw intensity; betrayal, parental death, and suicide are among the emotional roller coasters highlighted in this production. The acting is excellent; the cast of four portraying the two married couples – Lauren Paige (Maureen), Jack Morsovillo (Peter), Sam Fain (Ian), and Ksa Curry (Ella) are all believable, realistic, and extremely talented.

The instigator Ian’s Irish brogue is spot on and authentic sounding. I especially loved the charming set, a cozy modern country house where all of the action takes place. Much wine is consumed on the stage, and humor involving unappealing muffin flavors including tomato is welcome comic relief – the characters’ long for a chocolate muffin, while spitting out the pricey unique confections, making for very well timed laughs.

Illuminating lighting, as well as car engine and bird chirping sound effects add to the show’s eerie ambiance. Strained friendships, the complexity of marriage, and the enormous hurt of infidelity are all examined with no actual conclusions drawn – audiences can make their own judgments at the close of this fierce dramatic work. For tickets and more information on this and other upcoming Oil Lamp productions, plus their young people’s summer camps, please visit www.oillamptheater.org. 

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