” Ask Aunt Susan”

Recommended ***We certainly live in a new era. As I sut here writing my review of the latest production at Goodman Theatre, in the Owen Theatre, I think about how important a computer is to our lives; each and every one of us! Yes, the younger kids have a much better handle on the “digital world” that surrounds us, but guiess what? Those of us reaching senior status are noe engaged in the computer, the cell phone, texting and e-mail as part of our lives. The new play, i sone that deals with this world. In this bright new story ( one that may be even real, somewhere) written by Seth Beckly, we meet  “Aunt Susan” ( smartly played by Alex Stage) , a former techno-geek with Yelp who now finds himself employed as a lovelorn columnist on the internet, with soaring numbers of daily contacts.

While the idea was started as a joke by his boss, Steve ( deftly handled by Marc Grapey) who convinces that money will be made from the hits and no one will be the wiser. While he is making money, the followers of “Aunt Susan” become more dependent on the answers and he loses his girlfriend and in reality his self image. Who is he anyway? Perhaps, inside he is Susan. Over the 90 minutes of action, Robyn Scott plays the other female roles in the show and is probably the most human and humane of the characters in both cases. Two different waitresses, serving two different types of food and life experiences. Could something like this take place? You bet your Apple it could. One of the things we learn day after day is that there are always scammers out there seeking the quick buck and with todays technology, they are more apt to take the gamble. This is NOT one of the Goodman’s better plays, but it is one that can still grow and clarify itself until it becomes all that it could be. For my money, watching Grapey work is worth the price of any theater ticket and the rest of the cast works well as well.

“Ask Aunt Susan” will continue through June 22nd with performances as follows:

Tuesdays  7:30 p.m.                                                                    

Wednesdays 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays 7:30 p.m.

Fridays 8 p.m.

Saturdays 2 and 8 p.m.

Sundays 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets range from  $10- $40 ( open seating) and can be purchased at the box office, by phone at 312-443-3800 or online at www.GoodmanTheatre.org/AuntSusan

The Goodman is located at 170 N. Dearborn Street

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-up and click at “Ask Aunt Susan”