Go on vacation with Betty

Rape and dismemberment are hardly things you would expect during a summer vacation, but they sure make for interesting theater. Well, at least in Christopher Durang’s “Betty’s Summer Vacation.” Durang’s dark comedy, directed by Ron Gural, was the department of theatre and dance’s final fall production, which literally went out with a bang.

Looking forward to some time alone at the beach, Betty (Hope Barnard) quickly learns that she has picked the worst possible place to relax; her roommates are all sex-crazed, nutty or both. The jittery Trudy (Maebetty Kirby) cannot keep her mouth shut, but the hatbox-and-shovel-wielding Keith (Jay Harris Gard) keeps his mouth shut too much for comfort. Buck (Dave Davis), who requires sex at least 20 times per day, propositions almost every gal (and guy) in the house to “get his rocks off,” and what’s more, Trudy’s estranged and equally as loopy mother, Mrs. Siezmagraff (Leann St. John), brings along a flashing derelict named Mr. Vanislaw (Zach Serota). You can look forward to a frozen penis, interactive walls and multiple beheadings during the show.

The cast really took on Durang’s bizarre characters and obviously had fun with them. Gard pulled off the quiet serial killer skillfully, and Kirby’s Trudy was so talkative that she’ll leave you breathless just listening to her. Davis epitomized the sex-driven young male and constantly delivered laughs, as did Serota in his trench coat. St. John delivered yet another strong performance as the psychotic mother and held the reigns of the show. The three voices and their running commentary were hilarious. Though Barnard’s character was not as crazy as some of the others, she nonetheless delivered a playful debut performance.

The production of “Betty’s Summer Vacation” was superb. Leah Farrelly’s scene design paired with department chair Marty Sachs’s sound design transformed Lupin into an actual beach house. With Beach Boys’ playing before the show, you’ll want to grab your sunscreen and head outside for some sun. Laura Sirkin-Brown’s costume design, especially the three voices’ industrial getup, was very smart.

You owe it to yourself to see “Betty’s Summer Vacation.” The show runs at 8 p.m. today and tomorrow and at 2 p.m. Sunday in Lupin Theater.