By Darlene Craviotto. Directed by Peter Lhotka. A First Impressions Theatre presentation. At the Deep Cove Shaw Theatre until March 12

Attention all agents: Heather McKenzie is seeking representation. For God's sake, do yourself a favour: get out to see her in Pizza Man and take along a contract for her to sign. I've never heard of her before, but this woman is money in the bank. Riding a questionable script, she comes through with a performance that's downright inspired.

Now, about that text: its comic premise involves rape. The idea is supposedly inoffensive because this particular situation involves two women violating a man. Naively, playwright Darlene Craviotto attempts to excuse herself by having her characters repeat the idea that such a thing is impossible: if a man gets an erection, he's fair game-which is exactly like saying that if a woman lubricates, she wants it. It's infuriating.

Still, there's some great dialogue. Julie has just been fired from yet another job because she refused to put out for her boss. Alice, her roommate, is suffering because her boyfriend has dumped her after 13 months and returned to his wife. They plot to get revenge on men in general by having their way with Eddie, the pizza- delivery guy. The setup stinks, but individual lines are a hoot. To get the full flavour, imagine them delivered with New York Jewish flair. Alice to Eddie, advising him not to yell for help: "There are a lot of old people in this building and they're very bothered by anonymous screaming." Alice to Julie after they've untied Eddie and let him go home: "God! I thought he'd never leave!"

Maybe you had to be there to hear how well these lines can work, but McKenzie, who plays Alice, aces them. Every idea seems as spontaneous as it is sincere and surprising. She is incredibly relaxed, so there is enormous variety in her vocal colour and rhythms. Her work reminds me of Judy Holliday as Billie Dawn in the 1950 movie version of Born Yesterday, and that is the best bimbo characterization ever.

Patricia Harras, who plays Julie, is no slouch, but Julie isn't as flashy a role as Alice is and, as the instigator of the crime, Julie is less sympathetic. That character also has to carry a big maudlin chunk of the second act in which she whines about thwarted expectations. Still, Harras is an excellent foil for McKenzie. Her performance, too, seems to come as naturally as breathing.

Cameron McDonald is fine as Eddie, though his portrait is a little less polished than those the women deliver. His big problem is that all of Eddie's stage time has to do with the ugliest aspects of the script.

Tara Kobewka's design is serviceable, but it would be nice to see something a little more imaginative than a box set that's attempting to look realistic on a limited budget.

Even if you're not an agent, even if you find the idea of a comic rape as appalling as I do, this production of Pizza Man is a pleasant reward for making the trek to the Deep Cove Shaw Theatre.