Relationship Study Mars ‘Perfect’ Premise

“Perfect” at the Tiffany is a problematic play about a young couple who use modern technology to select the gender of their child. It’s a provocative and timely premise, much in the news of late. Unfortunately, playwright Mark Kassen squanders the ripe ethical opportunities of his subject, falling back on a tired examination of a faltering relationship.

Kassen also plays Andrew, a failed playwright-turned-hotshot ad executive. Andrew’s wife, Anna (Judy Greer), a frustrated artist, is also a highly paid executive, although in what field remains obscure. But no matter. After having abandoned their artistic aspirations, apparently without much of a struggle, these two now qualify as a poster couple for the affluent yuppie lifestyle.

Now, Anna and Andrew are planning a family, with the help of Dr. Chalk (Richard Kind), a pioneer in gender selection. Their controversial decision has become the subject of a documentary. On camera, Andrew and Anna are upbeat, but off screen, the path of pregnancy grows ever rockier. After Andrew learns Anna has cheated on him, he responds in kind, further eroding his crumbling marriage.

Plot twists are predictable. When Andrew’s half-brother Caleb (Adam Kassen) tells his shocking “secret,” it comes as no surprise. And the fate of Andrew and Anna’s relationship is a given.

Kassen’s point seems to be that bad things happen to shallow people and control freaks finish last. But do we care?

Considering the superficial concerns and stereotypical nature of Kassen’s characters, the answer is a resounding negative. Kind and Lola Glaudini stand out in a variety of supporting roles, and director Charles Otte, who also designed the lights, festoons the production with assured technical elements that distract from the vacuum of Kassen’s play. Particularly noteworthy is Clayton Tripp’s ingenious set, layers of white panels upon which various locales, from offices to cityscapes, are projected. Video is used effectively throughout. Logan Ernstthal plays the documentarian who films the live video interviews. Jonas and Alx are credited as video designer and video artist, respectively.

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“Perfect,” Tiffany Theater, 8532 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Thursdays-Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 5 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends Nov. 11. $25. (310) 289-2999. Running time: 1 hour, 35 minutes.