When Harry met Thelma

You’ve already seen “Women Who Steal,” the frenzied dark comedy about gender conflict at the San Diego Repertory Theatre.

Yes, really. You’ve seen it if you’ve seen:

* “Thelma and Louise” (men are swine; women take revenge; women go on the lam);

* “When Harry Met Sally” (lots of talk of fake orgasms);

* any movie in which you know instantly that a woman is a repressed ditz because she works in real estate (“American Beauty” comes to mind);

* those cable TV stand-up comedians whose routines consist of extended rants punctuated with the F-word (audience members clap madly at lines that conform to their views).

So what is to be said for “Women Who Steal,” written by Carter W. Lewis, co-founder of the Upstart Stage in Berkeley and directed by San Diego Rep co-founder Sam Woodhouse?

That it’s a knockoff of other works (one character refers to “Fatal Attraction”), that all three actors (two women, one man playing five smallish parts) appeared on Saturday night to be struggling with their lines and that, in the end, the play seems to lose confidence in its dark-comedy mode and resorts to a sermonette about the marital pain of the middle class.

Also true is that David Lee Cuthbert’s sets (including an oversized pair of sunglasses) and lighting are kicky and effective. And some of the lines are funny -- even wicked.

Karen, the bimbo-esque real estate agent played by Shana Wride, has had a one-nighter with Peggy’s husband. Peggy (Linda Libby) is boiling with an anger that’s been building in her 23-year marriage. Tequila and a firearm are significant.

Finding the appropriate target is what “Women Who Steal” is all about. Bernard Baldan (think a slightly smaller John Goodman) plays five archetypal males: waiter, ex-boyfriend, office creep, doctor and clueless husband.

Karen is panicky over turning 40. Peggy is deep into menopause and feeling murderous about it. The men are oafs.

Peggy likes the fact her ex-beau is wearing a tiny earring. “It’s evidence he’ll be a good husband,” says Karen. “He’s experienced pain and he’s purchased jewelry.”

Fleeing in her car, Peggy plugs a farm animal. “You shot a cow!” “I’m lactose intolerant.”

There are lots of clunkers. “Hope is the cheeseburgers and fries for people too stupid to realize they’re already dead,” says Karen in her opening rant.

Somewhere, Roseanne Barr must be smiling.

*

‘Women Who Steal’

Where: San Diego Repertory Theatre, Horton Plaza, San Diego

When: Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. (except Feb. 8) and 2 p.m.

Ends: Feb. 22, 2 p.m.

Price: $25.50 to $42.50

Contact: 2 hours, 10 minutes