Multilayered 'The Tale Of The Allergist's Wife' blends wit with deeper themes

Marjorie (Dana Wham) faces off with her surly mother (Mary Sue Greiner) and husband Ira (Joseph Jaynes) in the Oak Ridge Playhouse production of "The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife."

Death. Crisis. Self-doubt. Sure, "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife" features all those brooding themes. But when it premieres at the Oak Ridge Playhouse later this month, Reggie Law, director of the play, is certain those will not be the main draw.

"The play is appealing because of its humor and wit," said Law, who is managing artistic director at the playhouse. "It has really well-drawn characters with complex personalities."

John Simon of New York Magazine called Charles Busch's "The Tale of The Allergist's wife, "An intelligently funny and satirically relevant uptown comedy." But regardless of the laughs in store for audience members, there's still a crisis, right?

"I think everyone can identify with Marjorie's questioning of her own self-worth and need to explore new ideas and expand boundaries," continued Law. "It's something that everyone goes through at some point in their lives. We constantly compare our own successes (or lack of) to others and live vicariously through them. But it's all handled in a very funny way."

Majorie Taub is your usual upper-class urbanite who, despite her comfort level suffers a mid-life crack-up in the Disney Store. Her shrink is dead, her children are grown, and her husband is too busy with a free clinic he set up for the homeless. Where on earth can poor Marjorie go now? As fate has it, Marjorie is suddenly reunited with an eccentric childhood friend who has lived a life of which Marjorie could only dream. While her old friend gradually heals Marjorie's wounds, it becomes apparent that the friend might be dangerous for Marjorie's well-being.

Because Law has kept the play as it was originally written, audiences will hear it as it premiered at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 2000. Because of excellent reviews, the play traveled to Broadway with an all-star cast.

Along with critical accolades, the comedy won the John Gassner Playwright Award for Busch and garnered many Tony nominations.

This show features mild language and mature themes and is suitable for PG-13 audiences.

Stephen Woodward is a freelance contributor to the News Sentinel.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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