From the RCReader, Jan 2012: by Thom White
…Bad Habits‘ fourth offering is, fortunately, also its funniest, and ends the hour on an up note. Playwright Devin Hansen’s Dr. Quinn follows John Turner’s Mr. Robbins as he undergoes a vasectomy … though it’s unclear why he’s having the procedure, as he admits to not being sexually active, despite having sexual urges evident in Robbins’ physical reaction to Kylie Jansen’s title character, and through a series of fourth-wall-breaking videos that director Chris Jansen inserts throughout the piece. While I’m still uncertain as to why Turner was recorded in a different location for every single one of these (perhaps two dozen) clips, the use of video is an interesting novelty and more amusing, I think, than Turner would be speaking directly to the audience from his bed. And while Hansen’s work is sexually crass, it’s also quite funny, aided by the humor in Turner’s delivery. Hansen also avoids the inclination to create poignancy out of something that’s not poignant, instead leaving us with a lighthearted laugh at the evening’s end.”
My notes: Thanks for the nice review. I will note, I think Thom missed the three or four lines which I talk about the man actually BEING sexually active, albeit with some not-so-attractive partners. Oh well. Glad he liked it anyway.
From QCTimes, David Burke:
The night wraps up with the funniest of the lot, “Dr. Quinn” by Devin Hansen. In it, a man (John Turner) goes to the doctor for a vasectomy only to be turned on by the female surgeon. His thoughts are expressed via video confessions (a la TV’s “The Office”), which technically needed to be quicker on the draw.
Turner has impeccable comedic timing, as does Kylie Jansen, the director’s daughter, who plays the surgeon. As long as you don’t read the bios in the program to find out that she’s a high school junior, there won’t be any creepiness.
My Notes: Kylie did great when I saw her perform this piece back in November. She really makes it funny. Nice job.
And lastly, a review in the Argus/Dispatch by Jonathan Turner:
For me, the best of the bunch were the last two, “Malnati Monday” by Christopher Moss and “Dr. Quinn” by Devin Hansen. They seemed the most real, authentic, affecting and funny, with naturalistic dialogue and characters we can identify with….Another “guy issue” confronts Mr. Robbins (John Turner), the lead character in the queasily amusing “Dr. Quinn.” I have never seen a vasectomy “performed” on stage (and I doubt any previous play has presented one), but the middle-aged man going under the knife of an attractive young female doctor is the trick here.
Mr. Hansen uses video clips throughout of Mr. Turner offering commentary on what he’s really thinking during the awkward procedure. One of the best lines is: “She was easily the most beautiful woman that’s been in that region.” Another zinger: When he asks if the anesthetic is going to hurt, Dr. Quinn (Kylie Jansen) responds, “It’s just a little prick … That never gets old.”
While the childless Mr. Robbins is asked why he’s getting a vasectomy, we don’t get a satisfactory answer. Still, the interplay between patient and doctor (as well as his side thoughts) is witty and compassionate, and Ms. Jansen — a high-school junior — is confident and breezy, easing Mr. Turner’s understandable fears.
My notes: Yeah, he’s right. I never did give a reason for the vasectomy. I couldn’t think of a way to weave any reason in there, other than its just something guys do. But hey, I wrote it in four hours, give me a break.
Thanks for the nice reviews.