BWW Reviews: LIVES OF THE SAINTS Has David Ives Back in One-Act Mode

While David Ives has certainly had his share of success with full-length plays (Venus in Fur, The School For Lies ), it was quirky one-acts like Sure Thing and Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread that first brought him major attention.

With Lives of The Saints he's back to his old form with a new package of one-acts. They may not be as out there or as bust-out funny as his earlier shorts, but under John Rando's direction a talented ensemble provides a charming evening of humor.

The title refers to the sweetest of the evening's six playlets, where two elderly women (Kelly Hutchinson and Liv Rooth) go about their paces preparing breakfast for a friend's funeral in a church kitchen. It's a task they've done many times before (every action is mimed with sound effects) and their kindness in providing simple comfort as well as their affection for each other is lovely to witness.

The most intriguing of the bunch has a successful writer named Stephen (Rick Holmes) returning to his native Chicago and meeting a friendly fellow named Steve (Carson Elrod) who reminds him a lot of his younger self. Steve invites Stephen to his home for dinner and, by meeting his wife (Rooth) and seeing photos of his children, is reminded of the life he might have had - maybe one he would prefer - if he had made other decisions.

Most reminiscent of Ives' earlier, timing-based work is "Enigma Variations," which offers quick and rhythmic exchanges between twin psychiatrists (Arnie Burton and Holmes) and twin patients (Rooth and Hutchinson). They're actually only two people, having a single session on two levels of reality.

There are some clever moments in the three remaining offerings, about a deceased mother who apparently has a lot more to say moments after dying, a repairman who takes a washing machine out on a date and a fellow who expects unlimited generosity from his buddy, but while Lives of The Saints is neatly presented, it's more of a genial entertainment than the wild stuff the playwright is most known for.