F. J. Hartland

Civilization is what keeps us from all being Neanderthals.

But it’s just a very thin veneer according to playwright Yasmina Reza in her script God of Carnage, now playing at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre.  Scratch even gently—and you’ll see what’s lurking underneath!

Two perfectly civilized couples meet to have a perfectly civilized chat about an uncivilized incident involving both their eleven year-old sons on the playground.

The “chat” quickly disintegrates into a riotous funny farce as each character throws all etiquette and manners to the wind.  And the rum doesn’t do anything to make the meeting better!

Director Ted Pappas gives us a very fast-paced evening, filled with big belly laughs, clocking in at less than ninety minutes.

David Whalen is spot-on on the loutish husband who—when he isn’t glued to his cell phone—flat out admits his son is a “savage.”  And to him, that isn’t so bad.  After all, his hero is Spartacus.

Susan Angelo plays his nauseous wife with the cloying nickname “Woof Woof.”

In the role of Michael is Ted Koch, who confesses his is only pretending to be a liberal to please his wife Veronica.  He is all too thrilled to reveal that he belonged to a “gang” in his youth…and had to beat up another boy to gain admittance.

Stealing God of Carnage is Deirdre Madigan as Veronica.  She plays a woman who writes about art and Africa, buys tulips at $40 a bunch and is steeped in Dr Spock-like child-rearing.

Anne Mundell’s sleek and stylish set even fits with this idea of tearing away the veneer.  Ripping across this room, filled with shiny hardwood floors, crisp furniture and art books, there is a huge gash—revealing rough hewn logs.

Like her play Art, Reza uses a small cast, a single set, and lots of talking to make us question our core of values and beliefs. In less capable hands, Art and God of Carnage could be total bores.

Thanks to Pappas, his sparking cast and talented designers, this is a production not-to-be-missed.

God of Carnage continues through June 26.