By: Erin Harper

The premise of “Becky Shaw” is a first date gone wrong. Everyone can relate to that, right? But, what the Huntington Theatre Company’s latest production really attempts to examine is the hard hitting topics – death, depression, love and some questionable ethics – and yes, one really bad date. While the issues are heavy at times, screenwriter Gina Gionfriddo’s play certainly brings the laughs. And Director Peter DuBois’ cast seems so polished that you forgive “Becky Shaw” for lacking a certain profundity.

We first meet Max (Fisher) and Suzanna (Keira Naughton) four months after the death of her father. While not technically related, Susanna’s parents adopted Max when he was 10, so the two have practically grown up as siblings. It’s a complicated relationship to say the least. Max, a financial planner, informs Suzanna and her mother Susan (yes, they have the same first name), they are not as well off as they had been prior to the father’s passing. This does not go over well with Suzanna, a grad student with a need to live at a certain comfort-level.

Suzanna is cynical and a kill-joy at times and Max must utter everything little thing on his mind (accept, ironically, his feelings for Suzanna). But, when on stage together, the combination is witty and perfectly delivered. Naughton and Fisher have this unique chemistry – because, for as much as their characters can be appalling, when absent from the stage, you’re just left to wait until the moment they return.

Fast-forward eight months, and the play finds itself at that really bad date. Suzanna and new husband Andrew (Eli James) decide to fix up Max with Andrew’s co-worker Becky (Wendy Hoopes). Gionfriddo’s gives all the best lines to Max, and one of the rare ‘PG’ gems when he first sees Becky has him comparing his date to the sight of a birthday cake. Conclude what you may. I would share more of Max’s lines but they are all a wee bit laced with profanity – and that’s not a bad thing!

This first date lands Max and Becky a trip to the police station, and what follows involves manipulation and blackmail. The ultimate damage might, however, fall on the couple that sets up the pair. Andrew intends to protect Becky just as much as Suzanna plans on defending Max.

Though sharing the name with the title of the play, it is Becky Shaw that leaves us with the most questions. The script really doesn’t allow the audience to see how Gionfriddo intended Becky to be viewed. Is she really as over-the-top as she initially seems? Or is she just a girl that’s lost her way – something most of us can relate to at one time or another.

Ultimately, the way “Becky Shaw” is marketed is probably the impression it will leave the audience with – it’s a black comedy about relationships. Maybe it lacks a little depth, but the humor and one-liners will leave us entertained. It contemplates diving deeper into each character’s ultimate complexities, but realizes that it better serves the audience as a dramedy than a tragedy.

The Huntington Theatre Company’s “Becky Shaw” is in residence at the Boston University Theatre through April 4. Tickets are $20 – $82.50.