STAGE REVIEWS : ‘Misconduct’ Conducted Predictably

Misconduct may be allowed, but it isn’t particularly indulged in “Misconduct Allowed,” a thin but shiny romantic comedy at the Tiffany Theatre.

The only wrinkles in the glossy texture of writer-director Minda Burr’s play arise from the initial contrast between the two lovers: an in-control therapist (Margaret Reed) and an out-of-control comic (Peter Reckell) who approaches her as a client for help with a sexual problem.

The therapist has been looking for a little adventure, for something spontaneous. Yet those pesky professional ethics force her to resist her attraction to this guy. But true love will have its way, and its eventual course runs fairly smoothly here.

Loud-mouthed Benny, in particular, becomes a pussycat as he adapts to the first mature relationship he has had with a woman. His reformation dissipates most of the show’s dramatic heat, but at least the audience is left with a warm glow. Some fairy tales do come true.

Reed is wonderful as the therapist whose carefully coiffed appearance gradually becomes more rumpled as she slides into this new chapter of her life. Burr’s comedy reaches its peak as Reed nervously fumbles through a scene in which the lovers meet for the first time after their first night together.

Reckell makes Benny enough of a wreck at first for us to understand why his comedy career appears to be stalled. Marla Frees is mildly touching as one of his pickups, and the same can be said for Tom Isbell as the therapist’s bisexual best friend.

The other supporting roles and players are too cute, and it weakens the final moments to bring two of these characters together for an unlikely conference in the therapist’s office.

Jeff Klarin’s set and Marc Rosenthal’s sound and light are polished and predictable, like the play.

* “Misconduct Allowed,” Tiffany Theatre, 8532 Sunset Blvd., Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends Oct. 11. $16-$18. (310) 289-2999. Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes.