THEATER REVIEW:

Christopher Durang has long been the emperor of stinging satire for his maniacal ability to puncture authority figures. This, quite naturally, has made him a favorite of collegiate drama departments.

Golden West College is reaching back for one of his earlier efforts, “Beyond Therapy,” in which the psychiatrists are far loonier than their patients. And, in the intimate surroundings of the Stage West Theater (while the Mainstage Theater is being renovated), Durang’s savage wit becomes up close and personal.

“Beyond Therapy” is set in 1983, and its topical references render the play virtually impossible to update without a major overhaul. In the program, Durang makes an impassioned plea for directors to leave his work as written, which director Martie Ramm does in her lively production.

The principal characters are Bruce, a bisexual young man seeking heterosexual fulfillment, and Prudence, also unfulfilled, seeking compatible male companionship. Both are in therapy, each with a shrink who’s on the wrong side of the iron gates.

The shining light of the Golden West show is Julie Patzer, playing Bruce’s analyst, as wildly and mercurially outrageous as Durang could have dreamed. Patzer dives into the role of Charlotte with a furious zeal seldom encountered in local theater.

An A-plus performance worth a dozen Snoopy hugs (which she gives her startled patients).

The other shrink is Stuart (Tony Torrico), an overbearing womanizer with a short fuse (in more than one department) who’s already slept — briefly — with Prudence. Torrico gives his character the proper swagger and misplaced machismo so identified with the period.

Zedrick Restauro renders a comical yet plaintive interpretation of Bruce, who meets Prudence in a restaurant on two occasions as the result of a classified personal ad. His zealous determination and artificial crying jags are sterling character traits.

As Prudence, Amber Luallen really is the only sane character in the play, and she emphasizes this contrast at every turn.

From tossing water on Bruce at their first meeting to considering marriage with him near the final fadeout, Luallen is completely and emphatically believable.

Bruce’s male companion, Bob, is sullenly rendered by David Kinne in a hilarious sequence wherein Bruce invites Prudence to dinner as Bob pouts. Ryan Gonzalez-Del Valle completes the cast as a waiter thrust in to complete the equation.

Scenic designer Terry Otto successfully creates four playing areas in the limited dimensions of the Stage West Theater.

Susan Thomas Babb’s bright costumes emphasize the 1980s fashions.

“Beyond Therapy” is among Christopher Durang’s better efforts at theatrical anarchy as well as a sharp-pointed spoof of the psychiatric profession. It’s given a wildly effective production at Golden West College.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “Beyond Therapy”

WHERE: Golden West College Stage West Theater, 15744 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach

WHEN: Closing performances 7:30 tonight through Saturday, at 2 p.m. Sunday

COST: $12 to $10

CALL: (714) 895-8150

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.