This play about addiction, friendship and love is a hard-edged hoot and an affecting character study. Jackie is a recovering addict who’s going straight after his latest prison stretch. Ralph D. is his sponsor, a sage of Big Book wisdoms who can maybe help keep Jackie sober. But that’s no easy task given that Veronica, the love of Jackie’s life, is maybe sleeping with some guy who left his motherf**king hat in Jackie’s apartment. Against all better judgment, Jackie sets out to kill the guy.
Sensitive souls be warned: this play has more lowbrow maledictions than you’ll hear at a Donald Trump rally. But the language has a kind of street beauty, a lyrical flow. It might not sound sophisticated, but there’s depth and humanity here. The themes are universal, and the characters are easy to get behind.