Now more than ever, the relationship between men and women threatens to explode into an all out war. Thankfully Robert Dubac still feels that we should be able to laugh at the flaws both sexes carry with them. Produced by Urban Stages and running in rep with Dubac's The Book of Moron, The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron? shares many similar themes with its partner show, such as a tireless search for truth, no matter how much the truth can hurt. Dubac pulls no punches in his findings as he studies the sexes, and whether he offends or goes too far is entirely based on your personal tastes.
The Male Intellect starts us off with Dubac portraying Bobby, a fictional version of himself. Bobby and his fiancée, Julie, were all set to get married when a fight over a cat sent her packing, leaving Bobby trying to figure out what it is he's done wrong, with two weeks to do so before Julie will supposedly call him. He sits on a messy stage with one side filled with assorted items and furniture stacked on top of each other in true bachelor pad fashion, while the other side is bare save for a giant chalkboard, where Bobby will share his findings with us. Bobby shows us the many books he's read in order to better understand women but he has yet to come up with a reason why he was in the wrong, so he consults with the men from his past who taught him about girls in the first place.
Dubac himself portrays each of these men, labeled "The Chauvinists" in the play's program, and rightfully so. Throughout the play we're introduced to The Colonel, a redneck military man, self-proclaimed French philosopher Jean-Michel, bad boy Fast Eddie, patient fisherman Old Mr. Linger and well-meaning Ronnie Cabrezzi. Dubac seamlessly transitions between Bobby and the different Chauvinists with the expert skill of a veteran character actor, giving each persona a different voice, stance and unique mannerisms. As each Chauvinist passes down his wisdom, all Bobby really learns is what not to do.
It was a rather quiet audience I sat with during a preview performance, and part of that could be some people being afraid to laugh at certain jokes in the show. Dubac's commentary is rather biting but based in a truth that some of us may just be too afraid to acknowledge. Undeterred by the audience's shyness, Dubac employed his natural talent at improvisation and audience interaction to pull enough laughs to keep the vibe of the show consistent. In addition to his comic skills, Dubac demonstrates various other talents in his repertoire throughout the show, such as his skills as an illusionist. It's a show that men and women can enjoy as Dubac relentlessly calls both out on their flaws and gender-based practices. This reviewer also advises you stay until after Dubac's curtain call to see the full conclusion to Bobby's story.
