NOW RUNNING

Hooters

Written by Ted Tally

Directed by Molly Bishop

At the Leverett House Basement Space

Through this weekend

THE posters for Hooters--the ones that feature a rather mammarial double o between the H and T of the title--may lead you to expect a typical coming-of-age teen sex comedy. Your expectations will be fulfilled. The characters are typical of the genre; the plot line is paper-thin; and the ideas are mawkish and trite. What Hooters lacks in substance, however, it makes up for in entertainment value. The result is a dumb play that is, nevertheless, amusing.

Clint is a shy college-type guy; Ricky is a blustering would-be stud. Rhonda is a brainy, uptight man-hater and Cheryl a misunderstood beauty who only wants to have fun. Fill in the various permutations yourself; the play ends with everybody's personality suitably adjusted.

Hooters is rescued from this seemingly inescapable morass of insipidity by four very engaging performances. In particular, Jim Thompson (Ricky) manages his part with an enviable bravado and an impeccable sense of timing, and Kim Carnesale (Cheryl) radiates a placid yet compelling sensuality. Likewise, the one-liners frequently hit the target, and the "boys' talk" is devastatingly accurate.

Hooters won't be bringing home the Pulitzer. But if you lower your expectations to the level of, say, Porky's, before entering, you'll leave pleasantly surprised.

Bent

Written by Martin Sherman

Directed by Mark Prascak

At the Adams House Big Toe Theater

Through this weekend