This is one 'Curious' play

By Meredith Deliso

A forgotten gem is getting its due.

For its fall show, the Narrows Community Theater is doing “The Curious Savage,” a rarely performed feel-good comedy by one of the masters of the form, opening tonight at the St. Patrick’s Auditorium in Bay Ridge.

Dramatist John Patrick was no slouch in his day, writing dozens of plays, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Teahouse of the August Moon,” as well as such screenplays as “Love is a Many-Splendored Thing.”

One of his earlier works, “The Curious Savage” tells the story of Ethel P. Savage, a new widow who’s left a fortune by her husband, to the tune of $10 million.

Savage donates her money to strangers so they can fulfill their dreams, much to the chagrin of her three stepchildren, who would rather see the money go, of course, to them. So they do the only natural thing — they send her to an institution to help “bring her to her senses.”

The heart of the story becomes Savage’s interactions with the other residents of the home, social misfits who all have their own idiosyncrasies.

“It’s not what I would say is a ‘ha ha’ comedy,” said director Dawn Hansen. “It’s those little quirks that make the interactions of the people funny.”

“The Curious Savage” at St. Patrick’s Auditorium [97th Street and Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge, (718) 482 3173], Nov. 4 and 5 at 8 pm, Nov. 6 at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Nov. 7 at 3 pm. Tickets $15 for adults, $12 for students, seniors and children. For info, visit www.narrowscommunitytheater.com.

Photo by Stefano Giovannini