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The Pain and The Itch
Monday Aug 01, 2005.
By Lila Stromer
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Bruce Norris's play, "The Pain and the Itch" at Steppenwolf is a stew of political, social, and personal issues. While it's a rich stew, in some respects there are too many ingredients. Clay (Zak Orth) is a childish man married to a ruthless attorney, Kelly (Mariann Mayberry). They are the parents of five-year-old Kayla, and a newborn son. Clay, a stay-at-home dad, has a secret about Kayla that he doesn't want to share with his wife since she consistently treats him as incapable: He wants to handle Kayla's 'medical situation' alone. Norris has presents several questions concerning Kayla's problem (a suspicious rash): Who or what caused it? Is it abuse and if so who's the suspect? What is the real reason Clay refuses to tell his wife about it? Lack of communication about the rash is symbolic of the lack of communication in general that occurs in the household. No one asks truthful questions, and no one bothers to listen. Even at the age of five, Kayla never speaks words but simply shrieks as she runs through the house. Clay's dysfunctional family has assembled for Thanksgiving. His plastic surgeon brother, Cash (Tracey Letts), has an acerbic edge that moves into verbal and physical abuse. Their mother, Carol (Jayne Houdyshell), speaks incessantly without ever saying anything of importance. Kalina (Kate Arrington), Clay's Eastern European girlfriend, has trouble with the language. The final guest, Mr. Hadid (James Vincent Meredith), is a man from Africa who observes more than he speaks (a rarity in the world Norris has created). Hadid stays in the present as the others move back and forth in time to explain the events that lead to Hadid's visit. Norris gives us characters that play up many of the negative qualities of more privileged Americans. Clay and Kelly don't consider themselves well off, though their expensive and well-appointed home belie their protestations to Mr. Hadid, a cab driver married to their housekeeper. Carol watches PBS and educational television yet can only parrot facts she's learned without ever taking the time to absorb what anything really means. She also claims to believe in socialism while wanting her son to fire the housekeeper for stealing bread, saying, "We should help the world, but for heaven's sake, why can't they help themselves?" Meanwhile, Hadid's wife's inability to speak English is crucial in an event that leads up to the climax. Norris has a lot to say, so his play moves quickly, and the characters react and remain in their highest emotional states. Every decision is life and death, with no possibility of compromise. Such heightened reactions can become tiring in a two act play. Norris gives us no time to think and absorb before he launches into another theme. By the end there are too many ideas with no time to think about any of them. Norris's play and characters are not meant to touch your heart, only your intelligence. And without a break, the brain can only absorb so much. While it could use a little thinning, "The Pain and the Itch" is worth seeing. Its intelligence is both its strength and weakness. Steppenwolf Theatre; 1650 N. Halsted; (312) 335-1650; $20-$60. Through August 28; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday
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