‘ALONE TOGETHER’

The Harlequin Dinner Theatre production of the new play “Alone Together” gives a genial and fairly honest treatment to the familiar situation of adult children who think nothing of imposing on their parents. Although the production tends to slide into a predictable sitcom rhythm, it succeeds by virtue of its sly and completely likable approach to the material.

Lawrence Roman’s play looks at the predicament of George and Helene Butler, a well-to-do Los Angeles couple who have just sent their youngest boy off to college and are looking forward to a blissfully quiet existence only to find that their child-rearing days are not quite over. Their son Michael, a doctoral candidate on the lam from MIT, announces he’s moving back home, and he is soon followed by Elliot, whose wife has thrown him out after one infidelity too many. The my-folks-are-great-they-won’t-mind brand of youthful arrogance is met by the parents’ strong but nevertheless guilt-ridden resistance. The situation is portrayed here with a keen ear for punch lines and enough emotional resonance to reach a satisfying, if not deeply felt, resolution.

The many well-observed moments in this all-too-realistic situation are what keep the play afloat. Director Richard Vath frequently allows the tone to become too artificial to sustain believability, and he too often goes for the big laugh where a knowing chuckle would be more effective. However, he has a nice touch when it comes to depicting the idiosyncrasies of the characters. The “boys,” for instance, have plainly never learned to close a door quietly nor to expect anything but silence when they themselves must use the telephone. There is a nice matter-of-fact quality about the way the parents discuss their dilemma. Such emphasis does much to counteract the often too aggressive treatment of the more obvious comic aspects of the play.

As Helene, Joyce Langford is the chief victim of Vath’s go-for-it style, initially attacking her role with broad strokes, although she later relaxes into an amusing kind of bemused desperation. Tony Russel is completely convincing as George, executing his comic and dramatic chores with a wit that is at once dry and warm. As Elliot, Kyle Burson creates a an edge of self-satisfied immaturity that’s utterly maddening--and very funny. Best of all is Michael Pujdak, who plays Michael in a way that perfectly captures the unfathomable sort of logic and eccentricity that so often permeate the behavior of the true genius.

“Alone Together” continues through March 30 at the Harlequin Dinner Playhouse, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana. Information is available at (714) 979-5511.