LUV AT I.C.: English-trained Peter Shabaya as Milt Manville and Norma Buckingham as his wife Ellen perform a scene in Schisgall's 'Luv', presented by the American Repertory Theater. Able Threesome Performs Schisgall's 'Luv' in Spectacular I.C. Ampitheater By LOUISA KENNEDY inclines steeply down the side the piece. Perhaps the play of the hill gives just the right is simply outdated in a time The American Reportedly precarious note to the stage when violence and recrimi- Theater has put three very ta- setting. nation have become less a spec- lented actors on the stage at After all this it may seem tacle and more a common, the I.C. Amphitheater this strange to sav that this revie- everyday occurence. weekend. The work of this wer did not altogether enjoy In any case. ART has done a trio and their director Dean the evening, Although there are respectable job with the ma- Turner is smooth, polished and funny remarks and comic mo- terial at hand. Five students sparkling in terms of individual ments scattered through this from ACS (Chris Khattar, Peg- performances, Peter Shabaya's play there are also many cu- gy Atwood. Jan Harris. Robin performance is particularly riously bleak patches which ma- Canoles, and Dave Gonshor) consequential, He has been stu- kes one wonder at time whe- provide musical accompani- dying acting in England and the ther what is being said in two ment of a delightful nature be- fruits of his studies are very acts could not just as well be fore and between the acts. apparent. He has the New Yor- said in one act. kese speech and mannerism Schisgal's comedy, despite down to such a point that it is certain recognizable techni- difficult to believe he was not ques. is not strictly vaudeville. brought up with them. Kerry His satire is intentionally ugly Johnson, with no previous acting at times. His characters voice experience, produces a cunning dispair andanguish, They linger on the brink of violence. To foil to Mr, Shabaya's MiltMan- ville in the role of Harry Ber- a point Schisgal artfully closets lin, Norma Buckingham is al- this with comedy. But some- ways a dependable trouper and where along the line the wind tunnel invoked in satire breaks she brings many interesting qualities to light in the role of down. the antiseptic, intellectual El- In its absence Schisgal's peo- len Manville. ple seem suddenly diminished, The I.C. Amphitheater is a their speeches a trifle grating, remarkably spectacular site for their laughter remote - as if any theatrical enterprise. One the laughter was in another wonders why it hasn't been us- room, ed before. In this case, where As I hope I have indicated, the action is centered on a the fault does not lie with the bridge, the amphitheater, which actors. It seems inherent in