More entertainment from the union’s Aching Dogs Theatre

"There are 8 million stories in the naked city. We're going to tellââ¬Â¦ umââ¬Â¦ seven of them," reads the program for New York Nuts 3, the 20th production presented by Aching Dogs Theatre. But "tell" hardly does justice to the experience produced at the Hudson Guild Theatre last week.

New York Nuts 3, a compilation of seven one-act plays, six of which were making their New York debut, was a marathon of relatable characters who could easily be one's neighbor, sister, or boss. The seven short plays took the audience through the conundrums of cosmopolitan dating in the 21st Century, the guilt and anger of a marriage torn apart by war, and the collision of feminist principles at an audition for a pantyhose commercial. As most members of our union know, Aching Dogs Theatre, which is run by Producing Artistic Director Pam Scott, is an acting and writing group open to all Hotel Trades Council members. As in the past, this year's production featured both the acting and writing of members of our union.

While all of the plays were enjoyable and entertaining, the comedies were the true standouts of the evening. And at just $5 for HTC members ââ¬â bring a date and that's still cheaper than a movie! ââ¬â it was a steal for an evening of smart dialogue and believable tales of the everyday lives of New Yorkers.

The dramatic tear-jerker "The Patriots" kicked off the evening, offering a glimpse into the unhappy reunion of a military veteran and the wife who left him while he was away fighting. Starring Edgar Felix from the Millennium Hilton, Melissa Russo from the Screen Actor's Guild, and Diana Craig as the meddling aunt, "The Patriots" forced the audience to reconsider its notions of loyalty, fidelity, and the sanctity of marriage.

Following "The Patriots" were two plays exploring conflicting versions of womanhood and female empowerment. In Robert M. Tamburino's one-woman play "Little Boulders," Rahima Wachuku's depiction of the title character equally humored and horrified the audience with her desperate need to pick fist fights with other women in order to gain respect among her peers.

Jon Jory's "Scruples" took a more comical look at feminism. Set at the callbacks for a pantyhose commercial, the feminist Lois (Sara Kubida), pragmatic Jane (Magdalena Rogowski), air-headed Marti (Sandra Cummings), and oblivious Janet (Gwenevere Sisco) wrestle with selling their bodies ââ¬â their legs, more specifically ââ¬â to Corporate America in this snarkily written play about the dilemma of the modern capitalist female.

Taking a similar spin in parody, Bill Rutkoski's "Grief Relief " makes light mockery of America's dependence on therapy. Hosted by a prank-playing undertaker (Mike Rutoski of the Sheraton Manhattan), this grief therapy meeting included a widower (Park Central employee Alicia Frank), a husband who has confused a "Dear John" letter for a suicide note (Bill Rutkoski), and woman who has replaced her deceased cat with a plush toy version (Nina Rochelle from the Park Lane). Needless to say, the audience was sent to intermission practically rolling in the aisles.

Frank earned not only her acting chops in New York Nuts 3, but her writing chops as well. In the most dramatic and risqué show of the night, Frank's "Snow Drift" roused the audience from its relaxed reverie and threw them into the abusive turmoil of a diplomat's daughter and the man holding her hostage. Elizabeth Dilley and Mark Byrne gave powerful performances in Frank's exploration of the power and mind-warping of Stockholm Syndrome.

After the emotional intensity of "Snow Drift," New York Nuts 3 opted to end the evening with laughter. Seen previously in "Grief Relief," Bill Rutkoski wrote and starred in the quick-witted "Speed Date," which far and away garnished the biggest laughs of the night. With fast-paced, witty banter, "Sam" (Rutkoski) and "Decco" (Wayne Stills) school a divorcee (Walter Michael DeForest) at a speed dating meet-up about today's "modern woman." With comedic timing that had lines practically nipping at the other's heels, "Grief Relief" had the audience in stitches.

The evening of one acts closed with Debra Ann Register's "Intervention," a comical look at a circle of friends. It featured fine performances by Brian W. Seibert, Michelle Ebner of the Four Seasons and James Donegan.

While Aching Dogs Theatre typically puts on only one production a year, union members are encouraged to attend the group's Sunday afternoon workshops at their studio on West 54th Street. For more information, contact Pam Scott at [email protected].

(Editor's note: Jessica Edwards is a HEAT Supervisor who kindly agreed to review New York Nuts 3 for Hotel Voice ).