Not So Wicked

The lack of sensuality reinforces one important part of Inge's play: when all is said and done, when the drunks sober up and the horniness is appeased, all the characters are revealed as decent people. In a moment like this one, among audiences like these, that's a powerful assertion—and it's likely to resonate as long as people need reassurance that in our deepest, darkest heart, maybe we're not so dark after all.

Bus Stop at the Huntington Beach Playhouse, 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, (714) 375-0696. Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Through Oct. 7. $7-$15.