'Bent,' a drama about gays in Nazi era, needs a bigger spritz of freshener

'Bent,' a drama about gays in Nazi era, needs a bigger spritz of freshener

12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, April 19, 2008

By LAWSON TAITTE

Bent looks dated.

Martin Sherman's drama about the Nazi treatment of gays seemed radical in the late 1970s. Uptown Players' revival, which opened Friday, does its best to freshen it up, but it's only intermittently successful

Bruce R. Coleman directed the show and designed the set. Visually and symbolically, the setting is one of this busy artist's outstanding efforts. In the opening scenes in decadent 1930s Berlin, things look suitably lush. Piece by piece this perfumed world is stripped until only weathered boards and metal leave us in Dachau.

David Plunkett plays Max, a young man who has estranged his wealthy family because he flaunts the gay sexuality that his closeted uncle (Ted Wold) has kept discreetly hidden. Max and his boyfriend, Rudy (Andrew Phifer), have to flee Berlin after one of Max's escapades has brought them to the attention of the Gestapo.

Mr. Coleman has enlarged the function of a relatively minor character, Greta, a drag performer who has a wife and kids and claims not to be gay. Doubtless under the influence of Sam Mendes' production of Cabaret, the director has Paul Taylor cover every set change with a lip-synced Lotte Lenya or Marlene Dietrich song. These make a surprisingly strong commentary on the action and really keep the show rolling along. Mr. Taylor's new take on the role contrasts cunning femininity onstage with butch gruffness off.

Mr. Sherman's sparely constructed second act doesn't fare so well, though. Max and a man who gives him advice on the way to the camp, Horst (Kevin Moore), are onstage alone for most of its hour's length. Mr. Plunkett and especially Mr. Moore were impressive earlier, but too often in their long duo they spout lines by rote – or worse, emote them – without convincing us it's the characters who are thinking up the words on the spot.

Even the famous no-touch sex scene, where the two arouse each other by words only, lacks tension. What seemed a call to arms three decades ago now sounds like preaching to the choir.

PLAN YOUR LIFE Through May 11 at KD Studio Theatre. Runs 150 mins. $22 to $25. 214-219-2718; www.uptownplayers.com.

This text is invisible on the page, but this text is affected by the invisible item's flow. This text is invisible on the page, but this text is affected by the invisible item's flow.

More headlines

DSO coaxes hair-raising climaxes, amazing hushes from Bruckner's Seventh

Alicia Keys dazzles with singing, spectacle at Nokia Theatre

'Ring of Fire' evokes Johnny Cash at Fair Park Music Hall

Apocalyptica thaws Finns' frigid reputation

Ryan Cabrera grittily tops off his pop-tart image

More...

ARCHIVES: Search for more stories on this and other topics | Search Tips

SUBSCRIBE: Get The Dallas Morning News delivered to your home

Home The Arts Books Performing Arts Visual Arts Attractions Kids & Family Sports & Recreation Movies Music & Nightclubs Reviews Restaurants Television TV Listings Video Games Visitors' Guide Columnists Video GuideLive.com/extra About GuideLive Blog: Movies Blog: Music Blog: Eats Blog: TV Blog: Over the Top Blog: Punchbutton Blog: Shopping Buzz Blog: Texas Pages Newsletters Submit an Event Search Archives	'Bent,' a drama about gays in Nazi era, needs a bigger spritz of freshener 12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, April 19, 2008 By LAWSON TAITTE Bent looks dated. Martin Sherman's drama about the Nazi treatment of gays seemed radical in the late 1970s. Uptown Players' revival, which opened Friday, does its best to freshen it up, but it's only intermittently successful Bruce R. Coleman directed the show and designed the set. Visually and symbolically, the setting is one of this busy artist's outstanding efforts. In the opening scenes in decadent 1930s Berlin, things look suitably lush. Piece by piece this perfumed world is stripped until only weathered boards and metal leave us in Dachau. David Plunkett plays Max, a young man who has estranged his wealthy family because he flaunts the gay sexuality that his closeted uncle (Ted Wold) has kept discreetly hidden. Max and his boyfriend, Rudy (Andrew Phifer), have to flee Berlin after one of Max's escapades has brought them to the attention of the Gestapo. Mr. Coleman has enlarged the function of a relatively minor character, Greta, a drag performer who has a wife and kids and claims not to be gay. Doubtless under the influence of Sam Mendes' production of Cabaret, the director has Paul Taylor cover every set change with a lip-synced Lotte Lenya or Marlene Dietrich song. These make a surprisingly strong commentary on the action and really keep the show rolling along. Mr. Taylor's new take on the role contrasts cunning femininity onstage with butch gruffness off. Mr. Sherman's sparely constructed second act doesn't fare so well, though. Max and a man who gives him advice on the way to the camp, Horst (Kevin Moore), are onstage alone for most of its hour's length. Mr. Plunkett and especially Mr. Moore were impressive earlier, but too often in their long duo they spout lines by rote – or worse, emote them – without convincing us it's the characters who are thinking up the words on the spot. Even the famous no-touch sex scene, where the two arouse each other by words only, lacks tension. What seemed a call to arms three decades ago now sounds like preaching to the choir. PLAN YOUR LIFE Through May 11 at KD Studio Theatre. Runs 150 mins. $22 to $25. 214-219-2718; www.uptownplayers.com. This text is invisible on the page, but this text is affected by the invisible item's flow. This text is invisible on the page, but this text is affected by the invisible item's flow. More headlines DSO coaxes hair-raising climaxes, amazing hushes from Bruckner's Seventh Alicia Keys dazzles with singing, spectacle at Nokia Theatre 'Ring of Fire' evokes Johnny Cash at Fair Park Music Hall Apocalyptica thaws Finns' frigid reputation Ryan Cabrera grittily tops off his pop-tart image More... ARCHIVES: Search for more stories on this and other topics \| Search Tips SUBSCRIBE: Get The Dallas Morning News delivered to your home	Advertising

Reviews

12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, April 19, 2008