Nina Metz

Judging by the recent onslaught of romantic-comedy movies, you'd think the entire genre was stupidity incarnate. But my faith has been restored, thanks to director James Bohnen and the Remy Bumppo ensemble's thoroughly enjoyable production of "Money," by nineteenth-century playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton. Early on, a character pointedly observes, "Men are not valued for what they are, but what they seem to be," setting in motion this story about a poor scholar who inherits a fortune and the greedy men and gold-digging women who befriend him for his wealth. Period dress and witty dialogue aside, the play works largely because there is actually a point being made here--that contrary to what we've heard, greed is not good. Perhaps just as importantly, the hero and heroine in question never come across as hopelessly moronic in the Hollywood way, but are instead clever and enormously likable. Take that, Hugh Grant.

"Money" plays at the Storefront Theater, Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, 66 East Randolph, (312)742-8497, through March 29.

(2003-02-26)

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