Nina Metz

There's nothing wrong with funny for the sake of funny. And most of the laughs derived from Tom Stoppard's 1984 musical comedy, "Rough Crossing," follow this path. Chock full of witticisms delivered at a breakneck pace, the current production at Writers' Theatre in Glencoe is essentially one enormous bon mot. Two blustery playwrights, two egocentric actors and one stuttering composer are traveling aboard a steamer headed for New York. Their shipboard mishaps and misunderstandings form the basis of this flimsy plot about a love affair gone awry. The wordplay here is brisk and clever, dissipating just as quickly as it appears--verbal slapstick that brings to mind an intellectualized, Anglicized version of "The Three Stooges." Director Michael Halberstam has found a gem in Sean Fortunato as the well-intentioned but idiotic ship steward who misconstrues every question or request sent his way. (His humbled, astonished delivery of the line, "Thank you, sir," is one of the play's brightest moments of comedy.) Joel Hatch and Jeff Still also give enjoyably wry performances. The bi-level set, designed by Brian Sidney Bembridge, with its with wood-planked decks and creamy vanilla walls with black stripe accents, lends a 1930's seafaring glamour to the production.

"Rough Crossing" runs at Writer's Theatre (Books on Vernon), 664 Vernon Avenue, Glencoe, (847)835-5398, through April 20.

(2003-02-05)

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