‘Seven Year Itch’ continues through March 18 in Berlin

Have you ever have an itch that demanded to be scratched? Think poison ivy that is annoying and irritating at the same time. What if the itch is a rash that can’t be seen? What if said rash affects men primarily and has been diagnosed as a psychological problem by psychiatrists and is worthy of study and investigation.

It’s time to turn the clock back decades to 1952 to discover a comedy penned by George Axelrod, “The Seven Year Itch” and learn about this male afflicted malady, being explored by the Connecticut Cabaret Theatre weekends until Saturday, March 18 in Berlin. The title refers to the desire and deed of a once happily married man to look for a new and greener pasture in which to graze for sexual pleasures, even as he celebrates seven years of married life.

For the previously straight arrow Richard Sherman, performed by an eager-to-explore Alex Papacoda, the opportunity to experiment presents itself when his wife Helen (Maria Pompile) and son go off to the beach for the summer.

Richard’s imagination takes wing as he fantasizes about possible liaisons with available women. His conscience, in the form of his wife and her friend Tom (Daryel Gonzalez), emerge to caution him about his actions being “rash” and disaster prone.

His fantasies and his fears, his desires and his flings with danger, merge when his new upstairs neighbor, in a role played by a gorgeous Meagan Palmer, presents herself at his front door. What is a man to do? How long can a male be expected to resist temptation?

One thing Richard does is appeal to a client, Dr. Brubaker (Dave Wall), whose book he is editing for his publishing house. In a personal quandry, Richard asks the good doctor for a little friendly free advice as he grapples with the age-old question: Should he or shouldn’t he cheat on the woman he loves?

Set in Gramercy Park in New York City in the 1950’s, in a well appointed apartment, “The Seven Year Itch” takes the audience into Richard’s head as he day-dreams about his sexy upstairs neighbor and the realization that he has the power to make all those fantasies come true. Meanwhile, his wife is having a few flings of her own with an old friend Tom (Daryel Gonzalez), guaranteed to make Richard jealous.

Kris McMurray directs this farce in the land of fun and infidelity. Will Richard be able to resist temptation, even when it appears in the guise of a woman who resembles Marilyn Monroe in both looks and language? Come see for yourself.

For tickets ($30), call the CT Cabaret, 31 Webster Square Road, Berlin at 860-829-1248 or online at www.ctcabaret.com. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7:15 p.m. Remember to bring goodies to share at your table or plan to purchase them at the theater’s own concession stand.

Plan ahead for a double header, “An Evening of Comedic One Acts” with Chris Brooks and Bobby Schultz and a few pals on Thursday, April 20 at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:15 p.m.) and Sunday, April 23 at 3 p.m. (doors open at 2:15 p.m.). Tickets are $30 for “Hidden in This Picture” by Aaron Sorkin and “The Whole Shebang” by Rick Orloff.