Primary Stages current offering is Theresa Rebeck’s new play entitled “Dig.” Now playing at 59E59 theatres, the play revolves around the situations that develop in a small plant shop that has its name “dig” stenciled on the glass window of the front door. The playwright takes every possible opportunity to utilize a plant or horticultural metaphor to translate or foreshadow what is transpiring and developing amongst the interesting and odd cast of characters. Unfortunately, Ms. Rebeck needs to dig a little deeper to expose the roots of the dysfunctional and erratic behavior of her characters before letting the audience assume they are on sturdy ground and ready for new growth. Too many problems and conflicts without enough questions and answers plague the plot and lead to unresolved conclusions. There are enough twists and turns to add some suspense, but they also provoke a sense of melodrama and create explosive scenes with loud, combative dialogue.

The plot follows the day-to-day operations of a plant shop owned by an unattached and independent Roger (an obsessive, caring Jeffrey Bean). Roger’s one employee is Everett (an aloof and lurking Greg Keller), a stoner who drives the truck, makes deliveries, and does maintenance. The shop is not as calm as it would seem to be when Roger’s friend and pro bono accountant Lou (a skeptical Triney Sandoval), visits along with his adopted daughter Megan (a hard, neurotic and compulsive Andrea Syglowski), an alcoholic who was recently released from a psychiatric hospital for attempting suicide and is supposedly on the path to recovery. After quick efforts to help around the shop, repotting plants and exhibiting good sales technique, when she upsells to a customer Molly (a prim, proper and spiritual Mary Bacon), Megan manages to get herself hired at the shop. The fireworks begin and secrets are revealed when Adam (a sinister and evil David Mason), an unforeseen character appears and complicates the situation. A series of unpredictable and somewhat implausible events occur which seems to tie up the end too quickly and neatly.

The fine cast naturally fertilizes their characters to ensure their growth and added dimension. Mr. Bean carves out an interesting Roger with intricate detail exposing all the hidden facets of his complex character. He reveals as much as possible with the tools he has been given. Caring, giving, trusting, and calm but strong, determined and clear-headed. Ms. Syglowski creates a troubled and wounded Megan filled with anxiety and fear. Her character and personality resemble a mine field, that if trampled upon, explodes into a treacherous emotional breakdown. Mr. Sandoval establishes a Lou filled with doubt and a bit of guilt, that creates an obstinate behavior in his relationship with his daughter and friend Roger. Mary Bacon captures the religious, God-fearing Molly with sincerity and conviction that is believable but annoying. Mr. Keller perceives Everett as an enigma, with an underlying, peculating evil that could erupt at any time. Mr. Mason has the most difficult job of creating a character who is introduced in the second act with no time for exposition or emotional attachment to the festivities, which falls on the pen of the playwright. His performance is strong but shallow, lacking dimension.

Scenic design by Christopher Swader and Justin Swader is a gorgeous representation of a well-supplied plant shop. The detail is impeccable, on the verge of being overdone which results in the establishment becoming unbelievable. The beautiful set change during intermission is itself a show, as the shop becomes flooded with flowering plants in full bloom. A beautiful transition that would make more sense if the characters in Ms. Rebeck’s new play had come in full bloom as well. This production is worth seeing but as is, it needs a bit more tender loving care, a little more plant food and some very good leaf shine before it is put back on the shelf for sale.