Theater Reviews

Jan 12, 2002 - Robert Dubac's "Male Intellect: An Oxymoron" at the Eldorado

By Jack Neal

By Jack Neal Not since TV's Dr. Ruth made sex therapy an entertainment for mass audiences has anything been so hilariously right on about the sexual idiosyncrasies of the American male as is actor-writer Robert Dubac's one-man play, "The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron."

Slick, glib and assured, Dubac's extended standup comedy routine about how the male id stands in the way of sensitive male/female relationships opened last Wednesday (1/9/2002) at Reno's Eldorado Hotel Casino for what should be a successful month-long run.

Dubac the actor is as sensational as Dubac the writer. Holding center stage alone in one of the funniest shows I've seen in years is no small achievement, yet this adroit, smooth performer does it without missing a beat or a laugh - and the show is loaded with laughs.

Mining territory similar to Rob Becker's "Defending the Caveman," Dubac plays Bobby, a bewildered male chauvanist who has been dumped by his fiancee and is desparate to get an answer to the question "What do women want?" before attempting a phone reconciliation with what appears to be - for all the joe-six-pack reasons imaginable - his ex-girlfriend.

Looking for help to find the answer he's looking for, Dubac skillfully plays five characters responsible for feeding Bobby's overgrown ego. Dubac's wit-filled mix of personalities includes Army Colonel, who believes that honesty is the key to romantic success, except his honesty is militaristically unromantic; Jean-Michel, a French foreign-exchange student who believes speaking in mindless metaphors is the way to a woman's heart; Mr. Linger, a 123-year-old sex machine still looking for the perfect woman - which for him will be a mermaid; Ronnie Cabrezzi, a romantic from Brooklyn who can't stop laughing during intimate encounters at his girlfriend, Lucy; and Fast Freddie, who plays the field in the fast lane and believes in the adage, "Love'em fast and leave'em first."

Bobby realizes most of their advice is worthless, but with help from his "feminine side" - the left side of the stage - he finally finds the answer, he thinks, to what women really want.

Uninhibited about discussing in public such taboos as human genitalia, multiple orgasms, and a variety of sexual piccadilloes, Dubac retains his savoir-faire, avoids offensiveness and charms his audience. Along with his ability to wiggle cigarettes with his ears, he also manages to be both politically correct and incorrect at the same time, showering his act some well-worn stereotypes, while giving some fresh new twists. But regardless of what he does, well-worn or fresh, he can do no wrong. Dubac's writing, acting and the clever staging of "The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron" make for a side-splitting and thoroughly entertaining show.

Robert Dubac and his show are too good to miss.

"The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron," starring Robert Dubac, can be seen at the Eldorado Hotel Casino, 345 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada, Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 7 and 9:30 p.m. through February 3, 2002. For information call 775-786-5700.