‘Dirty Work’ Lacks Powerful Packaging

Having four rather repellent characters at the center of a play takes guts, but it also takes skill to make the audience care. By the second act, when revelations are sputtered out, it’s far too late.

Yet caring seems to be one of the themes of Joseph Lauinger’s play, “Dirty Work,” at the Alliance Repertory Company. Maybe Lauinger cares too much about too many things. The varied themes of heroes, art as a sociopolitical force, failed poets masquerading as academic literary lights, misogyny in the police force and more, wrestle for our attention. But the packaging is poorly conceived.

Gary (Tim Misuradze), a cop haunted by his father’s heroism on the force, has an odd obsession with rehabilitating an ex-junkie prostitute Emily (Anadel Baughn). A snobbish, feminist, no-talent poet Robin (Kate McCalley) clings to her emotionally abusive husband Bud (Elkanah J. Burns) because of his wealth and fame as a sculptor. Bud insults his wife and then offers major money if Emily will pose naked for him.

Burns’ direction neither enlightens nor infuses this work with passion.

* “Dirty Work,” Alliance Repertory Company, 3204 Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Ends June 28. (213) 660-TKTS. Running time: 2 hours 40 minutes.