As we prepare for the impending annual onslaught of holiday
entertainment, we feel obliged to point out that all those warm, fuzzy,
gosh-darn-wholesome Christmas specials are not necessarily representative of
yuletide reality. If they were, roly-poly Santa Claus would be carrying heart disease
in his sleigh, we'd be checking our list twice for dangerous toy recalls, and
Rudolph's nose would be red because he had too much eggnog and outed Prancer at
the dinner table (not that anyone was surprised, of course). Those of us who
like a little dramatic dysfunction with our holiday spirit will enjoy
Reckless,
a dark comedy from playwright Craig Lucas (of
The Light in the Piazza
fame). Presented November 13 through December 12 by
SpeakEasy Stage
Company, the show centers on Rachel, a woman who discovers on
Christmas Eve that her husband has taken out a contract on her life: fleeing
her picture-perfect suburban existence, she hits the road for a series of
encounters with colorful characters (including a talk show host, a physical
therapist, and a whole slew of shrinks), all of whom are hiding secrets,
nursing ulterior motives, and seriously challenging Rachel's seemingly
unflappable optimism. See if she holds it together at the
Stanford
Calderwood Pavilion at the
BCA (527 Tremont Street,
Boston). Tickets ($30-$50) are available at 617.933.8600 or
bostontheatrescene.com.
