Why Torture is Wrong  and  the People Who Love Them  may be the most offbeat title for a play in many a year, but is nothing compared to the  dysfunctional  family of characters you will meet in the latest enjoyable show  at Broward County’s premiere dramatic venue – the Mosaic Theatre.

Author Christopher Durang and director Richard Jay Simon  obviously must  realize such a title is bound to intrigue theatre-goers. But, the rather memorable (if lengthy) title is only one reason to draw theatre-goers to the Mosaic, nestled in the American  Heritage  Center for the Arts  in Plantation.   The satirical, often-hilarious  story, a topnotch cast, astute direction,  and an outstanding set  all add up to a rather pleasant couple of hours.
Author Durang, by the way, often uses absorbing  titles to whet one’s theatrical  appetite  The 60 year old writer (with some 40 plays to his credit) often emerges with outrageous but memorable names –  Sister Ignatius  Mary Explains it All To You,  For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls, for example.  His   plays have usually gotten notices for their absurd comedy, yet they  deal  with important or controversial subjects..  He has taken on child abuse, religious  dogma, sexual preference – but this go-around, he tackles several subject in the news – a comic look at right wing vs. liberal politics, stem cell viewpoints, abortion rights, as well as foremost –   national security or possibly “national insecurity.”

It all adds up to some quirky situations, stylish dialogue and snickers
and laughter from the audience. It is one of those plays in which you don’t want to laugh too much lest you miss the next absurd line or miss a character doing something outlandish, such as Barbara Bradshaw knitting while in a trance, Erik Fabreget playing a kooky waiter, Nick Duckart acing macho masculinity, or Christian Rockwell, as a holy man advocating being a Porn-again Christian.

In addition to the playwright’s success on 9/11 satire, much of this production’s allure is this casting of bizarre characters.  There are several performances which are so extraordinary, you may be hearing about them again come awards season.

This is one play in which this reviewer doesn’t want to go into too many details of the plot, lest it give away some of the hilarious moments.  Leave it to say it is Durang at his funniest – at his most imaginative – and creative.—and a cast which Director Simon uses his baton to orchestrate characters-bent-on-making-you -chuckle.

Here’s a brief run-through:

Felicity (a lovely Sharon Kermin)  appears to be a normal 20-something . But, she awakes to find out she has  gotten married (while  drunk, or maybe after being  drugged ) to a strange, hunky, testosterone-filled    man named Zamir(a perfectly cast Nick Duckart)  who might be a terrorist, a serial killer, drug dealer or someone who has a criminal past.  They were married by a porn-filming minister (an especially hilarious Christian Rockwell).   Zamir does not have a visible means of making a living but hopes to mooch off of his new wife’s parents  — Felicity’s theatre-loving mom, Luella (a riotous Barbara Bradshaw)  and her ultra-right-wing father Leonard (Dave Corey) who is certain his new son-in-law is a terrorist from a foreign country.  Good ole dad reacts by torturing this new family member  with the help of his panties-dropping, amorous  associate (Pamela Roza).   If that isn’t enough to tickle your funny bone, throw in a narrator/singer (Erik Fabregat) whose clowning antics  is only surpassed by his terrific voice singing Dancing in the Dark  (a talent only aware to those of his fans who have seen him  crooning in a Mad Cat theatre production).

Yes, it is funny. Yeah, it has a great cast and cleverly appointed direction. Obviously, the playwright is over-the-top (who else could imagine such a group of screwy characters?)  Did we mention, outstanding lighting by Jeff Quinn, great sound technician ability by Matt Corey, and a surprising set by Sean McClelland?

If  there is a single word to describe “Torture,” it might be ‘absurd.” Bradshaw could have this play in mind when the script calls for her to say, ”I don’t know what normal is; that’s why I go to the theatre.”

Check out the literary lunacy by calling 954-577-8243.  The play runs Thurdays through Sundays through Dec. 13 – but you can’t come on Thanksgiving.  Besides, this is no turkey; have that at home!!