The basic premise behind the plot's complexity (threading a dead man's fortune through a tax loophole) could be amusing; but whatever might happen logically to a human being in such a situation doesn't in this play.
The writer does insert some cute lines here and there. "I temped here," says the hero, visiting a tax attorney's office for the first time. "You're you," he says, finally seeing through someone's disguise. These lines define a character, are something anyone could say in a situation that could be universal; and they are original enough to be funny.
The play was cast extremely well, and the director was adroit in helping actors energize their roles and establish character relationships through physical objects and clear actions. Thus, a woman fends off being recognized with a flirtatious umbrella. Or unmasked, she strikes out with her wig. The love scenes played convincingly; but playing two scenes simultaneously by freezing one set of actors was a clumsiness not much helped by Katherine Spencer's lighting. (Spencer also filled the set mainly with old furniture and bundled papers.)
William Steel as the hero was supposed to be a "poor struggling writer" who's so dumb he can't see through the financial machinations of the people manipulating him. Somewhere there's a contradiction there, unless all he's struggling to write is a grocery list; and the issue of Commentary, prominent on the set, was merely someone's gift subscription.
Gayle Kelly Landers playing a "sweet tempered menace" was outstanding, and would be a special treat in sitcoms. Cris Parker as the villainous wife seemed always to be acting suspiciously. Somehow, no one on the stage ever caught on to her. Probably no one in the audience believed her.
Dale Carman as the author's doppelganger played a typical tax attorney (with an amusing woman's shoe fetish) consistently well. Christine Mosere shot a burst of energy into the play every time she entered; and Bill Corsair and Herman O. Arbeit were fine in smaller roles.
Susan Soetaert spared no efforts to provide a stylish wardrobe for each new scene, filled with a variety of coats, jackets, dresses, gowns, jewelry, shoes (including an angel's silver sandals), and brightly colored stockings.
Also fine, technically, though not credited, were convincing sounds for such odd things as traffic and an angels' chorus.
To conclude the report: Liabilities outweighed Assets. Unlikely to provide a satisfactory Return On Investment.
Copyright 1999 Marshall Yaeger