Four stars for “What You Will” at Benchmark Theatre
Denver playwright Jeffrey Neuman’s “What You Will” at Benchmark Theatre is a witty, incisive and sometimes prurient reflection on loyalty, truth, marriage and relationships.
The story begins in a steam room, where 40something Adam (Steven Burge) gloomily confronts his dad-bod gut before shielding it with a towel. He straightens his spine when a handsome younger man, Nick (Casey Andree), strolls in with a licentious smirk, a knowing glance and stratospheric gaydar signals.
Adam, married for three years to his longtime partner, struggles between fealty to his vows and the flattering flirtation from Nick. At home, both he and his husband Greg (Tom Littman) seem more bristly and complacent than passionate. Greg, an actor, is preoccupied with his gender-bending role in an all-male production of “Twelfth Night” than he is in rekindling romance with Adam.
His marriage’s torpor is underscored when Celia (Maggy Stacy), an exuberant bride-to-be, shows up at Adam’s stationery shop, eager to buy high-end invitations for her imminent wedding. Her infectious passion invites Adam to reconsider the attractive young man at the gym, weighing the risks of infidelity.
“What You Will” gives a nod and a wink to “Twelfth Night,” but the genius of Neuman’s story — and it is stunning — lies in examining the fabrications large and small that we tell ourselves and those dearest to us. Neuman’s thorny insights arrive both cloaked in comedy, and as subtle as sharp glass shards.
The taut direction is by Warren Sherrill. His cast is an extraordinary team, never wasting a second, but it also allows moments to take their own time. The clever set is by Charles Packard, who has tucked together a two-level sauna, a stationary shop and a tidy apartment on Benchmark’s compact stage.
The acting is superlative all around. Burge is brilliant as Adam, whose passion is mercurial and delight in a soul mate is tangible. Littman, as Adam’s distracted husband and perhaps the least fully-realized character, is elegant, intelligent and quite funny, particularly when he tries out the same line several times, with varying effect.
Littman’s also the one who plays a man playing a woman who plays a man in “Twelfth Night” (whose subtitle gave this play its name). His very presence is a constant reminder of this play’s many layers.
Casey Andree is excellent as the opportunistic, callow Nick, an unreliable character who proves to be an expert in duplicity. Whether the play’s conclusion leaves Nick in better or worse circumstances is another implicit question.
Maggy Stacy is fabulous as the animated bride-tobe, giving Celia a personality bigger than the stage. Adam, who is a force in himself, somehow seems to trail admiringly in Celia’s wake, which isn’t bad, just evidence of what a dynamo she is. “What You Will,” world premier of Denver playwright Jeffrey Neuman’s meditation on marriage and relationships. With Steven Burge, Tom Littman, Casey Andree and Maggy Stacy. Directed by Warren Shirrill. Two hours (one intermission.) At 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 6 p.m. Sundays. Through December 22 at Benchmark Theatre, 1560 Teller St., Lakewood. Tickets: $15 at the door, $16.52 online, benchmarktheater.com
“What You Will” is smart and complicated, a play that may remind audiences of “Sex With Strangers,” but even more tense and compelling. Because of its content, this play is recommended (highly) for mature audiences.