A "World Premiere" provides a chance for a playwright to reflect on what does and doesn't work in the new piece. What's onstage at the Kirk Douglas Theater is not the definitive version of what this work might potentially become. The Director is weak; too many moments are missed where the cadences of speech could have varied to elucidate exposition, or simply land a laugh among this cast of five. The three women are strongest; but both men are miscast. The leading role filled by Mr. Bucatinsky needs a big, over-the-top persona like Nathan Lane, who starts in a level of panic that increases to shrill proportions by the end. Early in the play, I kept wondering why a doctor who sold out to television wouldn't be obsessing on money continually. It isn't until the play's (there's no Intermission) third act that the characters finally get around to the money that should drive much of this tale of avarice and shifting insecurities. I hoped for better.

Showcasing new works by emerging and established playwrights is very important for a theatre company as renowned as Center Theatre Company; however, I must question their logic in deciding to produce "Quack" as a fully staged production when it has neither a fully fleshed out script, nor fully inspired direction nor remotely appropriate casting. Billed as a hilarious comedy, the performance I attended last Saturday evening was neither. In fact, the largely full house was silent during the interminable 2 hour (sans intermission) performance save 4 (count them) 4 general chuckles. The most interesting plot developments happen offstage and then the characters talk about it onstage. Why? The two leads are completely miscast, both in terms of ages (the playwright identifies the ages of the characters by identifying how long they've been in their careers) which makes BOTH actors 5 - 10 years too young for their roles, and comic ability. To say this production is dull is an understatement.