Despair as Painfully Funny

Albert is on the verge of doing himself in. Nothing works in his life, particularly in the romance department. But he can’t overdose; there’s only one pill left in his medicine bottle. And suffocating himself with a sofa cushion doesn’t work either.

So he loads his shotgun and uncomfortably puts the barrel in his mouth. Suddenly the phone rings, and his answering machine blares out the voice of a woman named Lynn he met a few weeks ago.

She wants to come over. That’s when the fun begins.

It takes an unusual mind to conceive a comedy about suicide. Playwright Kirk Huff has the right sense of humor, and for the most part his “Suicidus Interuptus� at Stages is funny and oddly insightful about the human condition.

Albert (Matt Tully) is a nerd, but he’s thorough. Lynn’s call puts a halt on his desire to leave this world, and in his passion to whip together a fine dinner for her, he forgets he put in orders to shut off his gas and electricity and disconnect his phone. Another part of Albert’s master plan was making an appointment for the Salvation Army to pick up everything in his apartment.

Tully presents a highly comic Albert, astounded by every event that further complicates the life he now wants to keep. His takes and double takes are nicely timed, and his utter confusion is at the core of the comedy.

Director Amanda DeMaio keeps the tempo crisp. She has a sure grip on Huff’s intent and his ability to make mayhem logical through all of Albert’s problems, including the play’s biggest laugh in its final moment.

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But even her convincing treatment can’t hide the play’s only big flaws, two characters who neither further the plot nor add much to its humor. In fact, they actually slow down the otherwise solid development. Alice (Johnna Adams), a silly upstairs neighbor, and Dr. Fulcrum (Christina Moorhead), Albert’s analyst, although played well by the actresses, are simply out of step with the surrounding action.

Good performances abound in the other roles. K.C. Mercer is a delight as Eugene, a Field Service Technician from Purgatory who is determined to take Albert with him in spite of the fact that Albert has changed his mind.

Shannon, as Albert’s shrew of an older sister--she and their mother think Albert is gay--is an impeccable comic invention in the hands of Mo Arii. And Jon Gaw’s genial restraint as the mortician Albert contacts to handle his remains is a total charmer.

Cat Bambas and Frank Tryon also score strongly as the goofy couple from the Salvation Army who come to clean out Albert’s belongings, and John Bailey’s laid-back house painter Jose--who is not what he appears--is a fine example of how effective comedy can be when underplayed. Miscast and overplaying what might have been a hilarious bit is Tate Fairchild as an overreacting security guard.

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* “Suicidus Interuptus,� Stages, 1188 N. Fountain Way, Suite E, Anaheim. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends Sept. 13. $10. (714) 630-3059. Running time: 2 hours.

Matt Tully: Albert

K.C. Mercer: Eugene

Johnna Adams: Alice

Christina Moorhead: Dr. Fulcrum

Mo Arii: Shannon

John Bailey: Jose

Jon Gaw: Dave

Tate Fairchild: Moran

Cat Bambas: Simone

Frank Tryon: Del

A Stages world premiere production of Kirk Huff’s comedy. Produced by Brian Kojac. Directed by Amanda DeMaio. Scenic design: Jon Gaw. Lighting design: Ken Jaedicke. Sound design: Patrick Gwaltney.