PlaYces is a local partnership by Divine Stage Works (DSW) that is billed as “a series of play readings in some of JP’s most inspiring spaces.”  The first in the series, “Baby with the Bathwater,” premiered last night at UFORGE, and will be presented for a second time tonight at the Centre Street gallery.

“It’s a wacky, off-the-wall comedy, “said DSW founder and director Peyton Pugmire.

On opening night, the black attired cast brought an inspired and spirited interpretation to the script’s rapid-fire repartee.  The twisted, 1983 play by Christopher Durang is a gender bending satire of a dysfunctional family.   The story follows the life of baby “Daisy,” (played by Matthew Finn) from infancy to therapy and subsequent sex addiction.  Born to negligent parents, the stage is set early on for baby’s psychosis when parents “John” (Brian Moyer) and “Helen” (Anne Colpitts) consider quieting the crying child with prescription drugs.   Daisy is left in the care of “Nanny” (Janet Ferreri), who seduces the husband on her first night on the job, and describes herself as more “Anti-Christ” than “Auntie Mame.”

The play was specifically selected for its location at UFORGE where it complements the “Family Masterpiece” show currently on view there, fusing the performing and visual arts.  For the purposes of the show, exhibitors at the innovative assignment-based gallery were instructed to work together to create a work of art collaboratively.  Like the play “Baby with the Bathwater,” UFORGE defined “family” in unconventional terms as a group of “people who share goals and concerns.” 

In addition to the “Family Masterpiece” exhibit, UFORGE is also now showcasing a collection of drawings of the characters in the play that were created by the public.  Gallery owner’s Rob Festa and Brian Crete hung empty frames with labels of the names of the play’s protagonists.  Supplied with art materials, visitors to the gallery were then encouraged to sketch scenes based on the play.

Divine Stage Works is the brainchild of founder and director Peyton Pugmire.  The company, he said, “strives to take theatre in exciting and unexpected directions. “   During its first season DSW began in South Boston but since 2006 the theatre has called Jamaica Plain home, where it is based at Hope Central Church. Its past productions include “Crimes of the Heart,” ”Father of the Bride,” “The Queen of Bingo,” and “Patio.”

Besides tonight’s staging of “Baby with the Bathwater,” DSW will be presenting two additional plays in its PlaYces series.  Just in time for Halloween, the company will appear for a candlelit performance at the Taylor House B&B on October 21 and 22 where it will perform the spooky “Haunting of Hill House.”

“It’s a great adjunct to our music and art series,” said Dave Elliott, co-owner of the Taylor House, “to have a live theater performance.”

On November 10 and 11, DSW will perform the 18^th-century “She Stoops to Conquer” at the Loring-Greenough House.

The Loring-Greenough House (LGH) is the perfect setting for the play," said LGH president Edward Stanley.  "It takes place around the time that the house was built, and concerns different levels of gentile society.  Although there's less stratification, people can also relate to it nowadays."

The readings in the PlaYces series said DSW’s Pugmire are “a way to bring out the brilliant writing of each of the stories.  Collaboration,” he added, “is our mission.”

Divine Stage Works' PlaYces series continues tonight with a second staging of "Baby with the Bathwater" at UFORGE at 8 p.m.  Other readings in the series will be “The Haunting of Hill House” on October 21 & 22 at the Taylor House and “She Stoops to Conquer” at the Loring-Greenough House on November 10 & 11.  Tickets are $12 and are available at the door, by calling 1-800-838-3006, or they may be purchased online.