spend the night. Clyde explains that he came to his former home after patronizing an adult bookstore and failing to pick up a prostitute because of a lack of funds. As a final sex scene begins Clyde flies into a fit of rage and strangles Charlene with his belt. Themes The play is a statement in the vein of thought which attributes domestic violence to the direct influence of pornography. This is in contrast to ideologies such as sex-positive feminism. A corollary subject is Vogel's indictment of attempts by pornographic film companies owned and operated by women to create positive alternatives to mainstream pornography. This is evoked by a flash-forward scene involving an adult actress who, despite believing that she is participating in a production utilizing one of Charlene's scripts, turns out to be the victim of a snuff film. Also discussed is the dysfunction of modern family relationships, the craft of writing, and adolescence. Johnette Rodriguez, in her review in The Phoenix (Providence, RI), writes that "she [Vogel] ponders many questions about male/female relationships, about families and about American society, all related to an observation she makes in the introduction to the published version of the play: 'obscenity begins at home.' " Critical reception In Jason Zinoman's New York Times review, the play is called "curious, clever and often frustrating jumble of a play", but that "this play seem as relevant as ever." However, his ultimate conclusion is that "the broad comedy is not quite funny enough and the tragic twists lack credibility." References External links Lortel listing Plays by Paula Vogel 1994 plays One-act plays Off-Broadway plays Tragedy plays