Stage Notes: Life in a Marital Institution (20 Years of Monogamy in One Terrifying Hour)

Life in a Marital Institution (20 Years of Monogamy in One Terrifying Hour) is a 65-minute monologue performed by James Braly and directed by the wonderful Hal Brooks (No Child, Thom Pain). Braly is a two-time Moth Grand Slam winner, so you know he has to be a helluva story-teller, and this particular show was a big hit at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and most recently at the 59E59th Street Theater. Braly is a very congenial and aware guy, who, when I spoke to him by phone, said, “I have to re-group, I just got off the phone with my wife.” So we know he is still in contact with his wife -- although he wouldn’t reveal the actual state of affairs to me in our conversation, as all is revealed in the show.

I see you have a punning title, and a hinting subtitle to your show, but how would you describe it?
It is a story that happened to happen to me. I try to create a distinction, so that there is room for the audience, and myself, to look at it together. So it’s separate from myself. You don’t want to make the audience cringe because they’re going to be dragged into someone’s personal life. I’m using my performance as a lens, to show issues that come up in a lot of marriages.

Well, is there a basic theme?
Yes. Whatever “love” is to you, the chances are that you learned that at home.

You mean the “home” where you were raised?
Yes.

OK, so where is the show set?
The monologues are set in a hospice where my sister is dying, and me and my family come together there; for the first time in 40 years. And, through this reunion of sorts, I start reliving scenes from my marriage.

I am assuming there is a lot of tension in the piece.
If people think the piece is about what makes happiness in a marriage, let me say, happiness is not my turf... I don’t want to give too much away. There are some things, some serious topics: life, death, philandering, near-infant mortality. On a certain level, it’s a tragedy being presented as a comedy.

It sounds very involved.
There are no holds barred. It’s very honest. That’s the contract you make with the audience. You have to be ruthlessly honest in exploring your motivations.

And?
Well, it’s very funny. It’s humor, not comedy. I’ve spent years developing it. My wife has never seen it. Some of her friends have seen it, and they say, “It’s a valentine to her," and others say, “Whoa! You must never let her see it!”

SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam St., (212) 691-1555. Jul. 9-Aug. 31. Wed.- Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 & 7 p.m. $55.

Photos by Jaisen Crockett