THE BREAK OF NOON at the Lucille Lortel Theatre

(Seen 12/17/10)

Neil LaBute usually presents us with provocative ideas and characters -- not necessarily likeable people or happenings. BREAK OF NOON tells the story of a survivor of an office massacre -- a colorless, unhappy office manager, played by David Duchovny.

Duchovny's character claims that God spoke to him during the gunman's onslaught, and that God saved his life. In the aftermath of the event, he has found God, and feels he has a mission to spread the word. He preaches to a growing -- and well-paying -- audience.

But his transformation from sinner to saint is not clear. The question of whether or not he is a charlatan seems indifferent. The conflicted character has all his previous foibles. And as laid out by LaBute, the story is dull and unfulfilled, never developing to any satisfactory conclusion.

Director Jo Bonney has been unable to bring much life or clarity to the work. Performances by Duchovny and Amanda Peet (in a dual role) are workmanlike, but fail to catch fire with the potential underbelly of the characters -- mainly due to LaBute's failure to create characters of depth.