Dysfunctional (def.): Malfunctioning, behavior patterns that undermine the stability of a social system.
The Pascal family of tony, 1983 McLean, Virginia, in The House of Yes at PowPAC, easily qualifies as dysfunctional. Mrs. Pascal (Kaly McKenna) is practically oblivious to any reality outside of the confines of the family estate. She doesn't grasp the reality of her own family. We suspect she probably killed her husband, and that she's very much aware of the incestuous relationship between twins Marty (John DeCarlo) and Jackie-O (Debbie Britt-Hay). Any mother who states, as Mrs. Pascal has, "Cattle are raised, children just happen," definitely has a few loose threads. McKenna has an elegantly blase glaze that seems to be hiding her character's insanity.
Jackie-O, named after a prominent neighbor, is certifiably bonkers. She has been hospitalized, although she's currently living at home with her mother and younger brother, Anthony (John Henry Litten). Jackie-O dresses like the former first lady, even down to the pillbox hat. She also has a gun fetish. A few years before, she wounded her twin with a loaded revolver - and likes to replay the little incident. Britt-Hay maintains a sickly grin throughout her performance. She is convincingly nuts.
Marty appears to be the sanest of the Pascals. After a whirlwind romance with a donut-shop waitress, he is engaged. DeCarlo plays Marty fairly normally, but then he starts interacting with his sister. They play their little murder game, an antecedent to their sexual romp. Marty pretty well quirks-out after that. DeCarlo's best moments come when Marty is most demented.
Anthony (John Henry Litten) spent a short time in college (I mean really short) before returning to the family compound. He appears to be relatively normal. Of course in The House of Yes everything is relative. Anthony tends to be a bit obsessive. When he decides that he should bed his older brother's fiancee, things get a even dicier.
Lesly (Karla Francesca), Marty's fiancee enters this menagerie, not suspecting what is about to happen to her. Francesca plays the only sane person, an unwelcome outsider, abused by Mrs. Pascal, Jackie-O, and Anthony. Her character is naive, a pauper in the land of wealth. But even Lesly is not totally immune to the insanity of the household.
The set by the Joel and Sherrie Colbourn team works quite well. Whether scripted, an idea of director Jim Payton or set dresser Brent Stringfield, the painting-less frames in each of the rooms adds a delightful touch to the house of Pascal. Costumer Erin McGathy (she also did props) fit the period well, especially the Jackie-O costumes. Peter McGuinness provides a nice lighting plot with extremely effective specials that close the show. Lou Alliano's sound complements the show.
The House of Yes is darkly funny and not for everybody. Using the Kennedy assassination as a stimulus to an incestuous relationship is not everybody's idea of humor. However, watching one sane person cope with this house of weirdness proves quite interesting. The audience at the performance I saw not only enjoyed themselves but also had some interesting conversation after the show.
