Lust And Human Nature Explored In Steppenwolf's 'The Qualms'
By Melody Udell in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 18, 2014 4:30PM
The Steppenwolf's 'The Qualms.'
Bruce Norris’s Pulitzer- and Tony-winning play, Clybourne Park, takes a satirical jab at race, real estate and gentrification in a fictional Chicago neighborhood. Now, Norris has switched gears with his newest play, The Qualms, about a group of mostly uninhibited couples who get together once a month to swap partners and explore their sexuality—whether committed or otherwise. Like Clybourne Park, The Qualms uses razor-sharp wit to call out broader themes, and in this case, they revolve around the true meaning of both sexual and marital commitment.
The largely character-driven show takes place at the house of Teri (Kate Arrington) and Gary (Keith Kupferer), who are hosting their fellow swinger friends for barbecue, cocktails and liberal use of the “party room” in the back. Teri and Gary consider themselves sexually liberated but are truly devoted to each other. The newly married Kristy (Diane Davis) and Chris (Greg Stuhr) on the other hand, are new to the swinger lifestyle but came to the party, seemingly, for a little confidence boost and to shake off their sexual puritanism. They’re joined by the haughty Roger (David Pasquesi), his beautiful, free-thinking partner, Regine (Karen Aldridge), the boisterous real estate agent Deb (Kirsten Fitzgerald), and her partner, the sleek, ambiguous Ken (Paul Oakley Stovall).
As the party goes on and more drinks are consumed, conversation ranges from sexual normalcy and exploitation to dominion and submission to the Gulf War and unplanned pregnancies. Chris, feeling increasingly uncomfortable, starts off merely as a pill but then graduates to belligerence and intolerance. In fact, he’s so uncomfortable at this party that it’s hard to believe he’d be open to the idea in the first place. Kristy, who seems to have settled, somewhat reluctantly, with the stable but disagreeable Chris, insists the party was an insecure reaction to the fact that she had lunch with a former boyfriend a week ago (and lied about it.) His quips at the party turn cynical and outright cruel, and despite the free-loving hosts, it’s a wonder they didn’t kick him out early into the evening. As the conversations grow aggressive—some party, huh?—Roger and Ken continue to provoke Chris, whom they hardly know.
The Qualms would benefit from a heavy dose of editing. After a while, the nonstop arguing among the party guests seems circular and grows tiresome. But the Steppenwolf has found a wholly talented cast to help flesh out the characters, even when there’s not much to work with. Fitzgerald is appealing as the kindly, bawdy Deb. And Stovall, playing her other half, Ken, manages to avoid caricature with his more thinly drawn character.
Ultimately, The Qualms wavers from moments of keen, witty observation about sexual politics and human nature to overblown discussions that result in a quiet, non-resolute ending. But if neatly packaged resolution is what you’re looking for, then Norris isn’t the playwright for you.
The show runs through Sunday, Aug. 31 at the Steppenwolf, 1650 N. Halsted, 312-335-1650 or online.