Playwright Craig Lucas tries to dazzle us with footwork in his skewed mish-mash of a comedy, Reckless. Some of his writing sparkles with witty surprises, but ultimately, it is the cast that keeps the show alive and interesting. Mary-Louise Parker shines with an impeccable sense of comic timing as a wife whose husband confesses that he has taken out a contract on her life. A solid, strong, convincing Michael O'Keefe secures the center, and a quirky, charming Rosie Perez tickles us with whatever she says (or doesn't say). It's all just a fun piece of fluff with an anti-psychotherapy theme woven in -- more of a kooky vaudeville show than a play, well directed by Mark Brokaw and well performed by the entire cast, including Debra Monk.
The set by Allen Moyer is quite clever, and lighting by Christopher Akerlind and costumes by Michael Krass aid and abet the proceedings pleasingly. Want to see a great play? This ain't it. Want to see a great comedienne? Parker's it.
