Review: The Male Intellect

A Review

At The Shubert Theatre

The Search Goes On

By R. J. Donovan

“What do women want?” That’s the question posed by Robert Dubac in his creation, “The Male Intellect: an oxymoron?,” playing at The Shubert through February 9.

The male-female relationship question is hardly new. The conflict between the sexes has been the subject of many a plot from Shakespeare to The Jetson’s. And that’s really the premise. The question will always be asked as the search for intelligent life goes on. And on.

Dubac himself shares the endless supply of self-help books. Everyone has become an authority on what we all want to understand. (Even comedian Yakof Smirnoff, Mr. “What A Country” himself, has morphed his Russian immigrant persona to return to the spotlight shortly with a Battle Of The Sexes stage show.)

A brief introduction in front of the curtain sets the framework for the one-man show. Bobby is in trouble with his fiancé to be. He’s made a series of mistakes, he’s been dumped and he wants to know why.

The curtain goes up and he begins his journey to know more. The set is clearly divided in two -- representing the two sides of the human brain. Left and right, organized and messy, female and male.

Along the way, he consults five advisors from his part -- all played by Dubac. With a shift in lighting, a change in physical stance or a minor costume adjustment, he becomes this motley crew of “experts,” each claiming to have the secret.

With a camouflage hat and a redneck mentality, The Colonel is a chauvinist who believes in honesty. Old Mr. Linger contributes a wry sense of wisdom by confiding that if you want to get a buzz on, just tell a knock-knock joke. Jean-Michel thinks the answer lies in his sexy french accent. Fast Eddie (with a Jack Nicholson touch) races through life on a motorcycle fueled by testosterone. He believes a speeding ticket is the cover charge for living life in the fast lane. And dumb-as-dirt Ronnie “Forgetabout it” Cabrezzi dedicates his life to taking care of his lovely lady, who swears “like a hockey team.”

The conflicts come at Bobby like lightning. The duplicity, the double standards, the book of unwritten rules that changes with a blink. The fact that men think the Three Stooges are hilarious and women don’t even think one stooge is bearable.

Further:

• When something’s wrong, women won’t divulge what it is. “If you don’t know, then I’m not going to tell you.”

• Women light a candle to create a pleasant smell. Men light a candle to hide an unpleasant one.

• Women don’t want to be objectified by men. But then again, they never ask “does this dress make me look intelligent?”

An onstage blackboard chronicles all of this. The further conflict is set up between what women want, and what women actually get. They want passion, security and honesty. But they get lies and ego and belching.

Ultimately, the questions have long been asked ... and answered. What makes “The Male Intellect” an enjoyable take is Dubac himself.

Like the songwriter singing his own composition, Dubac’s personal interpretation of his own material is its drawing card. In the hands of another artist, the part stand-up, part play, XX vs. XY chromosome self-analysis would be very different. In fact, it could be outright off putting.

But Dubac is bright and affable and completely endearing. He walks a cleverly created line that allows both sexes to identify without alienating either.

In the end, both Robert the actor and Bobby the character are sympathetic, smart and very funny.

“The Male Intellect: an oxymoron” is at The Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont Street in Boston. For information, call 800-447-7400.

-- OnStage Boston

2/1/03

			A Review At The Shubert Theatre The Search Goes On By R. J. Donovan “What do women want?” That’s the question posed by Robert Dubac in his creation, “The Male Intellect: an oxymoron?,” playing at The Shubert through February 9. The male-female relationship question is hardly new. The conflict between the sexes has been the subject of many a plot from Shakespeare to The Jetson’s. And that’s really the premise. The question will always be asked as the search for intelligent life goes on. And on. Dubac himself shares the endless supply of self-help books. Everyone has become an authority on what we all want to understand. (Even comedian Yakof Smirnoff, Mr. “What A Country” himself, has morphed his Russian immigrant persona to return to the spotlight shortly with a Battle Of The Sexes stage show.) A brief introduction in front of the curtain sets the framework for the one-man show. Bobby is in trouble with his fiancé to be. He’s made a series of mistakes, he’s been dumped and he wants to know why. The curtain goes up and he begins his journey to know more. The set is clearly divided in two -- representing the two sides of the human brain. Left and right, organized and messy, female and male. Along the way, he consults five advisors from his part -- all played by Dubac. With a shift in lighting, a change in physical stance or a minor costume adjustment, he becomes this motley crew of “experts,” each claiming to have the secret. With a camouflage hat and a redneck mentality, The Colonel is a chauvinist who believes in honesty. Old Mr. Linger contributes a wry sense of wisdom by confiding that if you want to get a buzz on, just tell a knock-knock joke. Jean-Michel thinks the answer lies in his sexy french accent. Fast Eddie (with a Jack Nicholson touch) races through life on a motorcycle fueled by testosterone. He believes a speeding ticket is the cover charge for living life in the fast lane. And dumb-as-dirt Ronnie “Forgetabout it” Cabrezzi dedicates his life to taking care of his lovely lady, who swears “like a hockey team.” The conflicts come at Bobby like lightning. The duplicity, the double standards, the book of unwritten rules that changes with a blink. The fact that men think the Three Stooges are hilarious and women don’t even think one stooge is bearable. Further: • When something’s wrong, women won’t divulge what it is. “If you don’t know, then I’m not going to tell you.” • Women light a candle to create a pleasant smell. Men light a candle to hide an unpleasant one. • Women don’t want to be objectified by men. But then again, they never ask “does this dress make me look intelligent?” An onstage blackboard chronicles all of this. The further conflict is set up between what women want, and what women actually get. They want passion, security and honesty. But they get lies and ego and belching. Ultimately, the questions have long been asked ... and answered. What makes “The Male Intellect” an enjoyable take is Dubac himself. Like the songwriter singing his own composition, Dubac’s personal interpretation of his own material is its drawing card. In the hands of another artist, the part stand-up, part play, XX vs. XY chromosome self-analysis would be very different. In fact, it could be outright off putting. But Dubac is bright and affable and completely endearing. He walks a cleverly created line that allows both sexes to identify without alienating either. In the end, both Robert the actor and Bobby the character are sympathetic, smart and very funny. “The Male Intellect: an oxymoron” is at The Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont Street in Boston. For information, call 800-447-7400. -- OnStage Boston 2/1/03

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