Theatre review: A Play on Words

A Play on Words is—well, a play on words (not to get too cute about it). It’s almost more of a discussion on semantics than it is a play. Fortunately, playwright Brian Dykstra and Mark Boyett are good enough actors to keep the heady dialogue from feeling bogged down.

There’s not much of a story. Two suburban neighbors greet each other and then spend the next ninety minutes debating various points of language: does axiom mean the same as maxim? From whence does the phrase “I don’t give a hang” come? Did Rusty (Mark Boyett) mean entomology or etymology? They both seem to thrive on the give and take; Rusty especially seems the garrulous type we all know, who’ll spend hours working a crossword puzzle or beating his friends at Scrabble with completely obscure words. While the entire play is essentially a discussion on semantics, it’s snappier than it sounds. The pace is quick, the exchanges are often humorous, and it turns out Max (Brian Dykstra) has an ulterior motive, involving an upcoming political rally.

Dykstra and Boyett have a great chemistry; they’ve obviously worked together before, and their energy keeps the play aloft. Director Margarett Perry has worked with the two before, as well; these three make a great ensemble, and I’m sorry I missed their previous efforts.

But while Brian Dykstra has a deft hand with dialogue, the play ultimately feels more like a clever classroom exercise. There’s not much weight to it, and even at ninety minutes it’s too long. Clever, yes; significant, no. Fortunately not every play needs to be meaningful. This one is content to be entertaining, and it does its job well.


Written by Brian Dykstra
Directed by Margarett Perry
With Brian Dykstra (Max) and Mark Boyett (Rusty)
Set Design: Kelly Syring
Lighting Design: E.D. Intemann
Sound Design: Nate Richardson
Costume Design: Hannah Kochman
Running Time: 90 minutes with no intermission
A Twilight Theatre Company presentation of a Kitchen Theatre Company production at 59E59 Theatre; 59 East 59th Street, 212-279-4200
Tickets $18
Tuesday at 7:30 PM, Wednesday - Saturday at 8:30 PM and Sunday at 3:30 PM
May 13 – May 30, 2009