Performing Arts

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.

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