`The Fourposter’ gives funny bedroom-eye view into marriage

Marriage. Who needs it? Evidently, most of us because, after all these centuries and all the liberations of the modern world, people still get married. Sometimes five and six times. But if you had to choose the most potent symbols of the institution, it would be the marriage bed and the room that houses it. This is, after all, where married couples work out the most intimate exchanges of their relationship.

That’s what Jan de Hartog was undoubtedly thinking when he wrote “The Fourposter,” a comedy about one married couple’s bed and bedroom and all the joyful and dreadful events that take place there during 25 years. A play for two actors, “Fourposter” opened in 1951 starring Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn. Penobscot Theatre is producing a touring production of the show directed by Christopher Owens for Wayside Theatre in Virginia and starring Becky Moran, as Agnes, and Ron Palillo, as Michael.

This is the first visiting show Penobscot Theatre has presented since purchasing the Opera House last year. Mark Torres, artistic director at Penobscot, has made a prudent choice in this amusing play, which is cleanly directed and expertly acted. From the opulent Victorian set (William McNeil Marshall) to the sparkling costumes and crisp voices of each of the actors, this show has the polish of a solid professional production.

Palillo will be the attraction for many theatergoers who may remember him as Horshack from TV’s “Welcome Back, Kotter” in the 1970s. An informal survey, however, revealed that many TV junkies from those years remembered the name Horshack, but not the face.

Once you see Palillo in action, however, it will all come back to you. He’s still doing much of the same shtick, which is the exact right word for his acting style. Funny, silly, very ba-dum-dum. He has a whine that won’t quit and a cocky manner that’s always looking for the next comic bit.

The real grace of this production belongs to Moran. She’s the straight guy to Palillo’s cutup, and she does it with style, sophistication and complete consideration for the audience. She dances through the role, and shows an Agnes who moves from a tricky wedding night through motherhood, affairs, weddings and goodbyes — and swiftly delivers a portrayal of a real woman with a sense of humor, a heart and a keen eye.

De Hartog’s script, which was later adapted as the Broadway musical “I Do, I Do,” takes place at the turn of the last century. It’s surprising, really, how many of the concerns in marriage then are also concerns we still have today in relationships. Anyone who has ever struggled to share a bed — and all that that entails over the long run — will recognize the squabbles, baubles and cuddles of this show, which at its best is really very sweet and at its worst is very, very sweet.

Penobscot Theatre will present “The Fourposter” at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday through June 21 at the Bangor Opera House. For tickets, call 942-3333.