Working in a sterile office cubical, within the bowels of some gigantic corporation, can be a mind-numbing drag. And what if that corporation is a pharmaceutical firm developing a drug intended to lift the spirits of depressed employees? A bit ironic, don't you think? That's the premise behind this comedy, which begins with a medical researcher quizzing a woman who is clearly burned out.
Doc: "Do you cry during the workday?"
Meena: "Yes."
Doc: "How often. Never, rarely, sometimes, or
frequently."
Meena: "Twice. Twice a day is..."
Doc: "Frequently."
Actually, she doesn't cry at the office -- she goes to a
discount clothing store, and bawls her eyes out hiding behind a
rack of ladies underwear, which leads into an appealing
subplot.
But the new workplace depression drug -- which is called
SP-Nine-Two-Five . . . get it? -- does seem to help.
Meena: I think it's working on me.
Doctor: It might be.
Meena: Well isn't that exciting. I mean, Bill, your drug
works!"
Doctor: I knew it worked already!
Meena: You did?
Doctor: The loss mitigation specialist from Citibank
called and told me she had fun at her foreclosure
meeting."
(Laughter)
You can sense these two are now conversing on a much more
personal basis. Since this is a romantic comedy, their
budding relationship plays mostly for laughs.
And the ridiculous government regulations and corporate
policies they confront at work provide plenty of humorous
moments.
There's also a marvelous cameo by actor Kurt Johnson as a
disheveled, careless scientist who almost kills a colleague by
casually passing on the wrong pills.
It all makes for a show that is nimble and clever, if not
profound. And if you're seeking a lighthearted comedy about
prescription drugs and stressed-out modern professionals, "RX" may
be just what the doctor ordered.
The B Street Theatre's production of "Rx" continues
through June 10th.