When one decides to see a play written by Christopher Durang, one must be prepared to be challenged. In Baby With The Bathwater all forms of logic must be suspended. You simply sit back to be bemused as the playwright twists and turns farce, satire and wackiness in a strange tale.
This is a seemingly simple story of an unprepared-for-parenthood couple, John and Helen, portrayed by James Steinberg and Amy Dell. The physical contrast between these two is startling. Steinberg is a broad, muscular man totally ill at ease trying to cope with such a small package as a baby. Dell appears fragile in comparison, easily lost in his shadow. Her character is also clueless about this tiny creature in a bassinette. While there is a huge physical contrast, there appears to be a high level of emotional compatibility, i.e., both characters are not only incapable of ministering to the needs of their newborn, they don't even know what sex it is.
Yes, this is Durang at his craziest best. They are finally saved(?) by a magically appearing Nanny (Annie Bates, no doubt a pseudonym) who immediately takes over. Momentarily we are relieved that finally there is a competent person to minister to the baby's needs. We soon find that dear Nanny is bi-polar; one moment soothing the child, then next ranting. The plot twists quickly, with John having an affair with the licentious Nanny.
The ever-convoluting tale has many more surprises. Rachel Throech and Cheryl Livingston are each cast in double roles requiring quick costume and delivery adjustments. Finally, the baby is named Daisy. Alas, as Daisy grows up, the skirt
has to be traded for trousers and, to paraphrase a popular hit of yore, we have a boy named Daisy (David Slattery).
In the second act, Daisy is in therapy for an extended period and through many, many sessions with his unseen therapist (Jeff Bushnell), who is heard through the speakers. Slattery not only is acting and reacting to a voice, he ages ten years and more, then adequately portrays his character's emotions while confined to his wheel chair.
Director Bushnell, who readily admits to his love for Durang's works, has done an excellent casting job. Steinberg and Dell are a perfect team in their study in contrasts. They portray the idiosyncratic behavior of John and Helen, eliciting many laughs. Dell is a recent transplant from Atlanta, and San Diego gains at their expense.
