A sociopath—or someone suffering from antisocial personality disorder—is generally considered to be an individual with little regard for the feelings and welfare of others. Charlie (Kevin O’Callaghan), the commitment-phobic and controlling friend and focal character of The Thrill of the Chase, provides a disturbing theatrical case study of this disorder. Twentysomethings Charlie and his roommate and closest buddy, Nicky (Ryan Barrentine), have been friends since childhood. Charlie is contentedly unemployed and owns a posh penthouse apartment in New York City, courtesy of his father, who supports him financially.
A self-described “emotional predator” who believes that “the cruel and ruthless will succeed,” Charlie decides to break up with his girlfriend, Debbie, on their one-year anniversary just for kicks. He is disappointed that Nicky does not follow his suggestion to dump the fragile Izzy, whom Charlie compares to wallpaper. When Nicky announces that he and his girlfriend intend to marry in one month, the manipulative Charlie proposes a twisted wager: he is so convinced that Nicky is only with Izzy because he fears being alone, that he offers to give his apartment to the couple if they do marry in 30 days.
Izzy (Nicole Samsel), Nicky’s sweet vegetarian girlfriend, is appalled by Charlie’s callousness and hurtful behavior, but attempts to reach a truce with him. While clearly afraid of Charlie, Nicky is not materialistic enough to be tempted by Charlie’s toys, so it’s puzzling why Nicky does not throw in the towel on a friendship that is clearly causing him much distress. Faith (Jenna D’Angelo), Charlie’s new girlfriend, is enlisted to help him execute his perverse scheme and destroy Nicky and Izzy’s relationship. She has a soft spot for Charlie, but it is difficult to imagine why she is willing to become his accomplice.
Philip Gawthorne’s script was inspired by the work of Neil LaBute, and this is evident from the sadistic behavior and underhanded goings-on exhibited throughout the play. The four-member ensemble delivers strong performances as the themes of dominance and submission, misogyny and male friendship are explored. But clocking in at two-and-a-half hours (with an intermission), The Thrill of the Chase is too heavy handed and could use some editing to tighten up the story and keep the pace from dragging.
The Thrill of the Chase; Written by Philip Gawthorne; Directed by Joel Waage; The Drilling Company Theatre; 236 West 78th Street; 212-868-4444
