Nothing foolish about fast-paced play

At 75 minutes, New World Repertory Theater's production of "Fool For Love" is pretty brisk. (Although not as brisk as Signal Ensemble Theatre's recent revival of the Sam Shepard play, which clocked in at a blistering 55 minutes).

Shepard's stage directions indicate the play be performed relentlessly, with the breakneck speed underscoring the intensity of the relationship between on-again, off-again lovers Eddie (Steven Camara) and May (Emily Carlson), the protagonists in this searing little drama about love and obsession. New World Repertory's co-artistic director Jean Gottlieb complies.

She also bookends the play with a song, an astute addition of which Shepard, who frequently incorporates music into his plays, would no doubt approve.

But Shepard also introduces a few speed bumps in the form of meaningful glances and lingering stares that slow the momentum when they drag on too long, as occasionally happens here.

Also, there are some static moments late in the play where the secondary characters stand awkwardly while Eddie and May play out the scene they have obviously played many times before.

But on the whole this production is solid, with credible performances from Camara who laces Eddie's low, dull drawl with a touch of menace and madness and Carlson whose tired, knowing May emerges not as a victim but as a survivor.

Reece Roark provides comic relief as May's befuddled date Martin, who walks into the minefield that is Eddie and May's relationship. Rounding out the cast is Bruce Varner, understated as the boozy Old Man, whose mistakes his children are destined to repeat.

"Fool For Love"

3 stars out of four

Location: New World Repertory Theater, 923 Curtiss St., Downers Grove

Times: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday; through Nov. 10

Running time: About 75 minutes, no intermission

Tickets: $12-$20

Box office: (630) 663-1489 or www.newworldrep.org

Rating: For adults; language, violence, sexual situations, incest