Calculated Dialogue Won’t Cure ‘Frank’

Ken Hanes’ “Fixing Frank,” at Glaxa Studios, isn’t about neutering cats, but neutralizing homosexuality through psychotherapy. Hanes’ complex verbiage tends to obscure the emotional aspects of this intriguing drama. The characters verbally duel instead of feel.

Urged on by his “good gay” psychologist lover, Johnathan (Kevin Fabian), quasi-journalist Frank (Bryan Randall) becomes the patient of Dr. Arthur Apsey (Vince DonVito), a psychologist who can supposedly cure gayness. Tired of writing about tulip festivals, Frank hopes this expose will transform him into a real journalist.

Johnathan doles out advice as an unseen presence during Frank’s consultations and confrontations with Apsey, and the action crosses over into the couple’s debriefing discussions. As Apsey’s influence on Frank increases, his presence is felt in Frank’s discussions with Johnathan until the charade collapses into an odd triangle.

The characters sound as articulate as one always wishes to be when normally feelings might choke logic and good grammar. Director Che’Rae Adams brings energy to the verbiage although at times her staging on this bare stage with three chairs as props is like the script--too stylized.

Hanes makes Apsey the most attractive character, played with great conviction and integrity by DonVito. Yet the ending is a politically correct betrayal of Apsey--manipulative Johnathan is the good guy and Frank the poor lamb caught in the middle.

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* “Fixing Frank,” Glaxa Studios, 3707 Sunset Blvd. Fridays-Sundays, 8 p.m. Ends Oct. 18. $12. (213) 871-5831. Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes.