Ancient History

As it happens, Ruth is Jewish, Jack is a lapsed Catholic who scorns religion; she is career oriented and bent on success; he is a poorly paid teacher who is happy to settle for what he has; she fears her stern parents would never accept her marrying a non-Jewish man; he has already been through one failed marriage and is wary of repeating his mistake

And while the mood at first is light-hearted and filled with brightly humorous lines, it is also punctuated by the random ringing of an unseen phone-at which times the protagonists quickly vary the mood and express their secret feelings and recriminations in brief, often caustic, monologues

Later, no holds are barred, and the irreconcilable differences that were largely sublimated in the beginning now burst forth in full fury, leading to a monumental explosion and, apparently, Ruth and Jack's acceptance of the sobering truth that there is more that divides than unites them

A deftly constructed and very funny study of the "battle of the sexes." Alternating sharp wit with penetrating insights, the play probes into the difficulties encountered by today's young professionals in trying to build a meaningful relationship outside of marriage

"A riveting theatrical experiencea gripping, sobering picture of young people in our time"~ Show Business

"David Ives is a rarity among young playwrights: He has a firm grasp of structure and composition, and he orchestrates them adroitly" ~ NY Daily News