An Evening of Shel Silverstein

He is known for his intelligent brand of humor and his urge to send us a sardonic message. Shel Silverstein’s songs A BOY NAMED SUE and SYLVIA’S MOTHER are only a small part of his prolific repertoire that includes numerous children’s books, illustrations, plays, and poetry.

The Atlantic Theatre Company’s AN EVENING OF SHEL SILVERSTEIN brings his voice to the fore through several of his short plays. Using word play, rhyme and alliteration, Silverstein delivers the kind of 70’s and 80‘s humor that was popular on shows like SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. His subjects include the interplay between the sexes, the watchdog mentality of our political system, and an outspoken disdain for abuse, be it against adults or children.

The imagery is provided by Walt Spangler’s modular set in which a sleek slice of Plexiglas, curved at the back, forms the stage and its back wall. It is one of the evening’s highlights as is some of the acting, particularly Kelly Maurer who takes on a variety of roles.

But the rapid-fire succession of unrelated episodes and the repetitiveness of style become boring and remind us that this might all be dated. Repetition, after all, is one of Silverstein’s literary ploys as in the evening’s longest piece THINKING UP A NEW NAME FOR THE ACT. It’s a play which uses only two words, "meat and potatoes" to depict a deadly encounter between the sexes. It’s a reminder that the message is subliminal, not in the words themselves, but in the grotesque actions that surround them.

That’s This Week Off-Broadway. I’m Isa Goldberg.