Funny doesn't describe Rob Becker's
Defending the Caveman at CCT through Dec. 31
Reviewed by Joe Blenkle/Sacramento Stage & Theatre
Rob Becker in DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN at Sacramento's Community Center Theater through Dec. 31.

    Somehow the word funny seems woefully inadequate to describe Rob Becker's DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN which plays at the Sacramento Community Center Theater.

    The one-man comedy stage play examines the relationship between men and women and is hilarious throughout -- mostly because Becker hits home with everything he says -- from the male's ("the hunter") inability to focus on more than one thing at a time, to the female's ("the gatherer") need to...well...gather (i.e. - shop 'till you drop).
"If I read the paper, Erin (my wife) will try to talk to me...because she knows that she can read a paper and talk to me at the same time...I have to put my finger down!"

    Becker, who began his career as a stand-up comedian in the San Francisco area, relates everything to the caveman/cavewoman relationship. "I was always interested in the way that men and women perceive each other," says Becker. "I began to think of them as two different cultures, with different customs and rituals. It makes sense that we would evolve differently."

    DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN was first performed in 1991 and was virtually an instant success. After stints all around the country, it opened on Broadway in 1995. The show had over 700 performances and has the record for the longest running solo play in Broadway history.

    "We were going to go off-Broadway," says Becker, "but a deal for a theater could not be reached. The Helen Hayes Theater approached us and since it was the right size (597 seats), we agreed. Once again we were very lucky because we had planned on going to Broadway at some point. This helped us skip a step."

    Becker takes equal jabs at both sexes, developing the show over a period of three years. He made his own studies of anthropology, prehistory, psychology, sociology and mythology -- and this comes across in the play. His explanations of why men and women act the way they do make sense -- and have the members of the audience pointing fingers at each other, snickering with an, "oh, that explains why he/she does that," and, generally having a lot of fun.

    DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN is definitely a winner. Its humor extends across the gender barrier and will have everyone falling out of their seats. For a sample of what to expect, visit the DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN web site. A home video is also in the works...but don't wait...go see it live.

    DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN plays at the Sacramento Community Center Theater through December 31, 2000. Tickets are priced at $10-$55. Showtimes through Friday are at 8 p.m., Saturday 2, 5 and 8 p.m., Sunday 2 and 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, call the Sacramento Community Center Theater box office (916) 264-5181, Wells Fargo Pavilion box office (916) 557-1999, or Tickets.com (916) 766-2277. Parents might note that DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN does have mild adult content and language.
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