I may not be doing Eric Bogosian full justice by being laconic about his latest solo outing, Wake Up and Smell the Coffee. Once again we get a series of monologues skewering this or that human folly through one of its typical embodiers. The language is well chosen and sharp, the delivery and body language make their points, the satire hits home. The staging by Bogosian's companion Jo Bonney is scarcely noticeable, which is good. I was not bored, but it all felt a little like feasting on superior junk food. With rare exceptions, such monologues belong in a cabaret or revue, forms unfortunately scant or nonexistent in our culture. As is, Bogosian's apt writing and performing merely reminded me of his good plays and acting in them. Why not stick to that?

Related:

• Archive: “Theater Reviews”
• Articles by John Simon
• Table of Contents: May 29, 2000 issue of New York | Subscribe!