In Search of the 'Male Intellect' at Ambler's Act II

The hilarious Robert Dubac is coming to the area with his one man show, "The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?." The in Ambler will host Dubac and his show starting tonight and running through July 31.

Dubac performs a variety of characters – a mix between theatre and stand-up comedy – and promises to have you laughing until you cry for 90 minutes straight. Man or woman – this show is for everyone.

Dubac recently took some time out of his always busy schedule to answer a few questions and convince all the locals to have a good laugh with him sometime this month at the Playhouse.

Brenda Hillegas: I was looking at some of the show's reviews on your website. I noticed one from The Philadelphia Inquirer. How many times have you performed here?

Robert Dubac: I've been in Philly a few times but not for a while. First time was a week long run at the Merriam. Then over the next couple years I ran the show off and on at the Society Hill Playhouse for a few limited runs. I've been all over Pa. since then, but this is the first return to the Philly area in about five years.

BH: Is there a story behind "The Male Intellect?" What inspired you to create the show? 

RD: I got tired of all men getting blamed for that one bonehead who ruins the party. You know the one who screws it up for the rest of us.  We're mostly all just trying to make sense of this babble of the sexes. They certainly don't help us much. And it was also an attempt to give women some hope. I tell everyone I wrote the show but my wife explained it to me.

BH: You play six seperate characters. Are they based off people you know or just based on the various types of guys we run into every day?

RD: These archetypical stereotypes (another oxymoron) are guys we all know and love... and hate. But they originated from women I knew, not men. I was always intrigued why women would pick a certain kind of guy. It was usually a guy who led with one great trait but that was it. Sort of a one trick pony.

BH: The show takes place in Lake Loretta. Why do all these characters reside there?

RD: I guess if it was called Lake Larry it would make them sound gay.

BH: Why did you ultimately choose to do theater and tour? I read the bio on your website – you've done a lot of various stuff (including movies and sitcoms), so what draws you to doing live performances?

RD: There's nothing more gratifying than a live audience. Also, it keeps the payroll down when I do it all myself.

BH: What upcoming projects are you working on?

RD: I've been writing some TV shows but my main focus is what I'm doing. The one man show gives me free reign to explore topics without too much restriction. "Free Range Thinking" is the newest show that explores the truth in an era of hype and spin. I'll be doing a couple workshop performances of it while in Ambler with the proceeds going to benefit the Playhouse. "Stand-Up Jesus" is another that brings Jesus back to take over his Dad's business. This time he's a stand-up comedian. He's added punchlines to his message to keep from getting crucified again.