‘Deliverance’ Proves Cruel to Be Kind

“The best part of our marriage was when he was dying--he needed me,” says Cora (Lee Gar lington) of her philandering first husband. Inspired to become a nurse, Cora soon becomes a Kevorkian-esque Betty Crocker, stirring up sweet concoctions in a cookbook full of last meals. It sounds like a winning premise for a play--one with which many women could sympathize.

Houston’s dark comedy “Sweet Deliverance,” at the Hudson Avenue Theatre, is too saccharine and polite. It lacks the bitter bite of social commentary or at least a snickering sense of nasty glee. Instead, it moves from one predictable scene to another.

Richard Hochberg’s direction, the ensemble’s characterizations are slimy caricatures. The usually engaging Garlington’s deadpan delivery doesn’t exactly enliven the action, particularly in its odd contrast with John Altieri as her obnoxiously precocious son Farley.

Hochberg conceived and directed the delectably snide musical “Good, Bad but Beautiful,” yet his powers fail him here.

This is a horribly misjudged and miscalculated theatrical outing, a misalliance of many talented people that is more tedious than entertaining.

* “Sweet Deliverance,” Hudson Avenue Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends May 18. $20. (213) 660-8587. Running time: 2 hours.