In certain dialects of the Greek language, "phyro" is the imperfect case of ephyron, which means to mix something dry with something wet. The word is also a popular "skin" for characters of Quake III, the name of an X-Men mutant, a popular message board pseudonym, and one-half of the title of the second work by contemporary playwright Michael Blieden. Phyro-Giants! — the first Jobsite Theater production of 2006 — is basically one long 70-minute conversation between four acquaintances having dinner at a hip eatery. As the evening progresses and the empty wine bottles swell from one to three to six, the characters abandon any attempts at small talk and begin to reveal their innermost selves — and the meaning of Phyro-Giants. Kari Keller directs. Jan. 20-Feb. 5, 10:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m. Sun., Shimberg Playhouse, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, downtown Tampa, $18.50, 813-229-7827, www.tbpac.org.
This article appears in Jan 18-24, 2006.