THEATER REVIEW: Life in a Marital Institution

The show's success or failure rests entirely on delivery. Fortunately for audiences, James Braly is energetic and captivating throughout.

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THEATER REVIEW: Life in a Marital Institution

POSTED: Friday, July 15, 2011, 4:00 PM

Three years after its première at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, writer and performer James Braly’s solo show Life in a Marital Institution: 20 Years of Monogamy in One Terrifying Hour has come to Philadelphia for the first stop on a national tour. Though complaining about marriage has become a cliché, Braly's performance is original and insightful — reflecting on how difficult it can be to end a long-term relationship, even one that is seriously flawed.

The show begins with Braly recalling a conversation he had with his sister, Cathy, as she was dying of cancer. Braly tells his sister that he loves her and she asks him if he loves her enough to trade places. He thinks it over and then replies: “Would you want to be married to Susan?”

For the remainder of his 90-minute monologue, Braly alternates between descriptions of his time spent with Cathy in the last days of her life and anecdotes from his married life — starting with the story of how he met his future wife. He was sitting in a New York City café writing a poem when she approached him, only to take the paper out of his hands and proceed to mark it up with red pen.

The set design is minimal — consisting of three chairs placed beside one another at the center of the stage — and props are not used during the performance. As a result, the show’s success or failure rests entirely on Braly’s delivery. Fortunately for audiences, he is energetic and captivating throughout, never losing his sense of humor despite the seriousness of his subject matter. Braly is also remarkably honest and straightforward. He lays bare all the details of his relationship and does not hesitate to critically examine his own reasons for staying in the marriage. Eventually, he admits that he remained with his wife not out of loyalty or devotion but because he was afraid of being alone. Even if this admission does not seem particularly noble, it is impossible not to admire Braly’s willingness to be so candid. Moreover, Braly reminds us of something that is easily overlooked: Ending an unhealthy relationship takes courage.

When asked if he and his wife are still together, Braly responds: “Given what you’ve just heard, do you think we should be?” See the show and decide for yourself.

Through July 16, 8 p.m., $35, Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St., 215-546-7824, wilmatheater.org.

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