THE PAIN IN MY ASS OR: HOW TO ADULT by Joseph Garrett. St. Vladimir Theatre. July 4 at 8:30 pm, July 6 at noon, July 7 at 3:30 pm, July 8 at noon, July 10 at 8:30 pm. Buy tickets. Rating: NN
This ensemble comedy follows several recent university graduates questioning their next steps. When Solomon (Feerass Ellid) finds a cyst below his tailbone, his indecision to dive into a career or go abroad is thrown into disarray, much to the disappointment of his girlfriend Emma (Marina Gwynne). Solomon’s family and hospital staff round out the other characters.
The Pain In My Ass is a cute story but goes down predictable paths. Too many coincidences tie characters together, and the stereotypes of a wine-chugging mom, a goofy dad and a lazy brother feel so clichéd the script’s writing falls flat.
The butt jokes also get tedious after the third eye-rolling pun.
Kudos to standout cast member Gwynne, who brings a quiet tension to her scenes with Ellid. You can see the indecision etched on her face when she confronts not only her post-graduate reality but also her future with her boyfriend.
