Gideon (Miranda Porter), Giddy for short, is tired of the single life and ready to settle down with Mr. Right. Could it be a collapsed Boston Marathon runner, who has lost his memory? A cop, Jud (Steven A. Rich), has carried the runner up to her apartment. Since he couldn't remember the runner's name name, she calls him Antonio (Frank Guttiere) and claims he is a plumber and her husband. For her roommate Charlene (PJ Anbey) and Charlene's fiancée, Dex (Steve Stetak), she creates another set of lies.
Jack Sharkey's 1999 comedy, I Take This Man, is built upon an incredible pile-up of lies loaded with comedic phrasing. Director Sherrie Colbourn creates a strange reality on the stage of Patio Playhouse with this totally unrealistic amusement.
As the fabrication continues, the plot twists and turns like a mountain road. Giddy convinces everybody that she and Antonio have been married, in secret, for a year. All goes well until "Antonio" regains his memory, realizing he is the very rich Bret. Yes, the plot is a bit silly and romantic, but it's also just plain fun.
Ms. Porter owns every element of Giddy, a totally screwball character. Her character starts with a single lie, albeit a big one, and builds into total unreality. Almost every word she utters is nonsensical, and her delivery alone is worth the price of admission. With faultless comedic timing, she speaks Jack Sharkey's words, and they become her words.
As the plot evolves, more and more is revealed about Bret. Questions start to form. Why does Jud have a strange taste in his mouth? Could it be from chloroform? Is he wearing running gear or underwear? Just what are Giddy's intentions regarding Jud? What are Jud's intentions regarding Giddy? Is there, in the whole play, an honest statement?
Anbey and Stetak's characters bring a bit of sanity when they are on stage. Rich is the straight man. His character, the cop, forces stress on the other players, creating yet another layer of humor. Playwright Sharkey saves his final plot twist for the last few seconds of the play. It is a twist that shakes the foundation of everything that was setup. We are thrust into a totally different reality in just a few words, and it's fun to watch this cast deceive us right to the last lines.
