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Gender insights found amid the humor of Male Intellect

What women want might be the ostensible focus of The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron? But what men need to understand about themselves is the actual - and far funnier - subject.

Robert Dubac's witty and wise 90 minute show, which opened last night for a two-week run at the Southern Theatre, revolves around Bobby, Dubac's likable alter ego. Seperated from his girlfriend for two weeks, Bobby has 90 minutes to figure out the secrets of a healthy relationship before she calls back.

Working his way through a pile of self-help books or sticking cigarettes in his ears in a struggle for more balance, Dubac blends self-deprecation, ironic comparisons and wistful romanticism into an amusing, dead on portrait of the single guy.

Women will be charmed by his eagerness to understand them. Men will identify with his (and our) foibles. Even men afraid that the show's title signals a bout of male-bashing quickly will be reassured and begin laughing in recognition.

Skirting the boundaries of political correctness without offending anyone, Dubac sketches out just enough of male behavior at its worst to make his rueful points.

Dubac effortlessly shifts between Bobby and five other characters: cocky Colonel, with southern drawl; fast-talking Fast Eddie, always on the prowl; smooth Jean-Michel, the French lover, tough guy Ronnie Cabrezzi; and plucky 135 year-old Mr.Linger.

All are male chauvinists who influenced or inspired Bobby as a child. All are self-confident in the advice they offer, and all are half-right at best. Bobby sits through the macho preening of each to identify the kernels of insight.

Dubac's set symbolically divides the stage in half. While the left side is packed with junk and old beer bottles representing a bachelor's attic, the right side is almost bare, except for a seemingly blank chalkboard.

According to Dubac, one side embodies Bobby's "masculine" left brain, and the other side represents his "feminine" right brain. That might be simplistic psychology, but it makes for amusing theater.

Not all of the humor is verbal. Inspired by the "wild and crazy" Steve Martin, Dubac displays a flair for slapstick and subtext when a struggle to pull off a tight ring from his finger symbolizes the male fear of commitment.

And his final coup de theater offers a genuine deliverance.

Recommended for mature audience because of profanity. The Male Intellect is not quite a play, but is much more than a hilarious stand up act. A must-see show for couples of any age, The Male Intellect offers an essential education and entertainment for any guy or gal old enough to date.

Although neither Bobby nor Dubac would ever feel comfortable saying this. Dubac is a down to earth entertainer with some important things to say about changing gender roles on the cusp of a new century.

- Michael Grossberg

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | January, 2000 | Review Index