Something Īwickedā this Valentineās Day comes

By Ricardo Baca
The Metropolitan

If sick and twisted is your fix and you want to get your kicks ÷ but Feb. 14 usually licks ÷ then this, you must fix.

Sit down and obey and listen to me say that the Mercury Cafe will rock this Valentineās Day.

OK, so my poetry needs help. But your usual, inane approach to Cupidās day does, too. So heed this advice.

With a severely disturbed V-Day history behind them, the Mercury Motley Players are once again presenting the dark, sick and sexy comedy Lovers Split Strangers Split Lovers. Itās a 12-scene play that was originally written 20 years ago. Itās performed yearly, modernized to fit changes in society.

Mercury Cafe owner Marilyn Megenity said the play, which is performed by the cafeās employees,  focuses on love and sex.

ćThe scenes are dark and twisted and so are the workers here, so itāll be fun,ä she said.

One of her favorite characters is Helen (Jenny Goetz), who has been cheating on her husband for years with her girlfriend, Cathy. Her scene entails Cathy threatening suicide in Helenās bathroom at Helenās anniversary party.
Goetz, a self-proclaimed minimalist poet, said acting gives her a chance for vocal expression.

ćAs a writer of short stories, I donāt get a chance to get up and read in front of people very often,ä the 27-year-old bartender said. ćI like doing it, even if it is once a year.ä

Another favorite character is Jay, who videotapes himself dancing naked and then replays it without sound at parties. Or you could meet the domineering wife Wilma and her junkie husband, Johnny. Their situation: Sheās dying to have sex, but heās ćnot in the mood tonight.ä

Although the evening should prove to be rewarding for the audience, the cast may be a little stressed. They will be waiting tables and cooking up a mean stew when theyāre not on stage.

ćYouāll probably see your waiters in some kind of a funky costume,ä Megenity said.

She will also be acting in the production ÷ this year as Marge, a woman who has decided, along with her husband, that she no longer digs swinging,  having sex with other couples.

Should you choose to eat, Goetz and her fellow staffers will be serving up something wicked. The Mercury is enchanting all of its dishes with spells of love and lust.

ćWe always enchant our food,ä Megenity said, ćbut for Valentineās Day, weāll use a lot of love-enhancing herbs and spices from around the world.ä

Her favorites include basil, garlic and cinnamon, but there are many more. Keep your eye out for that love potion No. 9.

She added that the restaurant and theater are usually very busy during the showās three-day run. Reservations are encouraged.

Itās an alternative approach to a holiday with too many traditions. If youāre nervous, take Megenityās disclaimer on this jilted take on the holiday: ćItās truly romantic ÷ even through itās sick.ä

Lovers Split Strangers Split Lovers runs Feb. 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 15 at 5 p.m.
 The restaurant is open from 5:30 to 11 p.m. each day. Call 294-9258 for reservations.