Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - "Quirky," "hilarious," "wildly imaginative," and even "strange" are all words critics have used to describe Jon Klein's "Dimly Perceived Threats to the System," which will be presented by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre Friday, June 29, and Saturday, June 30, as part of the 2007 Summer Repertory season.

The comedy will also be presented Wednesday, July 11, and Thursday, July 12. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

"The play is usually labeled as a 'dark comedy,'" said Rick Jones, associate professor of theatre and the show's director. "It deals with serious issues in a humorous fashion."

The central characters, Josh and Marlys Hauser, are a man and a woman who have been married 15 years and are struggling to keep the family together. They have their own fears and problems, which are compounded by the facts that their daughter is acting up in school, his mother is dying and he is having an affair.

"But through all these problems, the characters come to understand that the survival of a relationship is dependent on the realization that perfection is not going to happen," Jones said.

"I know this sounds like a serious play, but trust me, it's very funny," he added. "The humor comes as a result of Klein's playing with the boundaries between what is actual reality and the characters' perception of reality."

Within the play, Klein makes frequent use of fantasy sequences or projections in which the audience is able to access a character's thoughts and feelings. According to Jones, comedic moments result when the audience sees simultaneously the reality of the situation and the character's fantasized view of the same scene.

"For example, the audience laughs when the 13-year-old daughter, Christine, visits a therapist and projects what she thinks will occur to her during the session. The audience is fully aware of the reality and can laugh at Christine's wild imagination," Jones said.

Similarly, when Josh's mistress shows up at a family picnic, the audience is able to see not only what Josh fears will come out in a conversation between his mistress and his wife, but also what is actually going on,

"It's kind of like watching a movie you've seen before with someone who has never seen it. Because you know what is going to happen, you laugh ahead of time and poke your friend to be sure he catches the joke too," the director added.

The play, which premiered in 1995, was a finalist for the American Critics Theatre Award. Other plays by Klein have received the George Burns and Gracie Allen Comedy Award, HBO Playwrights USA Award, Midwest Authors Award and CBS New Theatre Award.

"Dimly Perceived Threats to the System is the second of three plays included in the 2007 Summer Repertory season. It is recommended for mature audiences. The third play, "Tintypes," will open Friday, July 6, and run again on Saturday, July 7; Friday, July 13; and Saturday, July 14.

Tickets for either show are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors or students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.sfasu.edu/finearts or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.