Matthew Lombardo's High is a messy and sordid contrivance about the psychotherapy of a 19-year-old gay junkie, the miscast and misdirected (by Rob Ruggiero) Evan Jonigkeit, who gives us a caricature rather than a character in an embarrassingly stereotypical performance with an almost Southern accent that comes and goes. Kathleen Turner stars as the straight-talking nun therapist, and although she starts out rather wooden, she picks up steam as the jokes and expletives emerge. She knows how to hit a punchline, and that sustains the play. Stephen Kunken is fine as a priest-- totally believable.
The very interesting set by David Gallo is a series of movable panels, some if it majestic. Costumes by Jess Goldstein are appropriately stark, and John Lasiter's lighting is fine.
The play does show the best part of the Catholic Church in which the clergy genuinely tries to help people. Turner is worth seeing, although, for me, the play sputtered out in its conclusion.
