Playwright Victor Cahn’s portrayal of choices and regrets in his two-character play "A Dish for the Gods" is well done.  This unit-set one-act revolves around a successful writer’s remembrances of her college professor/mentor/lover. The two complex characters are well-crafted and don’t always move in the direction you think they will: Julia, the writer, manages to go from disaffected teen to successful writer without following the emotional route you might expect, while Greg, the young professor, goes from “darling of the campus” to...well, that’s something you should find out for yourself.

The play is not quite a dramatic monologue, as Greg is present on stage through much of it -- yet because it is a remembrance, with the character of Julia speaking directly to the audience, this feels like a more intimate telling than a more conventional approach to the story might. Through his skillful building of the characters and their circumstances, Cahn brings the audience to a strong emotional peak by the end of the play: I believe the gentleman sitting next to me was rather teary eyed as the lights came up. Actors Kevin Cristaldi as Greg and Margot White as Julia both do a fine job navigating the play's shifts in emotion and tone, making their characters relatable and sympathetic.

The set, too, is excellent with its slightly receding side walls that give the small stage a feeling of much more depth. The use of a table on wheels and small benches make the quick changes to different locations seemingly effortless, never interrupting the flow of the performance — a great accomplishment in a short play on a small stage. Kudos to scenic designer David Arsenault.  The lighting was interesting and basically well done, with some very nice effects to imply dusk or sunshine, though I would have liked the intensity of the lighting to have aligned better with Julia's emotions.

Overall this is a quality production in every aspect. Even the play's dozens of literary references (from Oscar Wilde to Sargent Bilko to Shakespeare) are handled deftly, in a way that doesn't alienate those who may not "get" the allusions.  If you like plays that are more character study, a bit cerebral, and not too long, this is a great choice. It will be at The Lion Theater, 410 West 42nd St until Oct. 5, and is well worth the time and price.

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