These seven eclectic short plays by satirical funster Christopher (Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You)Durang span themes of theatrical illusion, Catholicism, abusive authority, nightmare, improprieties, hypocrisy, and customer service. Director Maureen Hawkins and the game cast get the intersection of pomp, camp, and pathos just right. An understudy filling in for a lead actor must figure out what play hes in. Blanche Dubois and Stanley Kowalski are visited by a census taker while waiting for Stellaaa!!! A jocular creep of a gym teacher tyrannizes his 7th graders. Some of the plays arc, while others unravel into absurd pandemonium. Durang layers in many theater-history inside jokes, but the pieces can also be enjoyed at surface value. In a couple of the plays, the characters cartoonish desire to entertain us feels a bit desperate, but its a small price to pay for this generally palatable and well-executed tasting menu. (It’s a small venue, so book ahead or go early.) MARGARET FRIEDMAN
Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Starts: Oct. 29. Continues through Nov. 22, 2009
