× Expand Photo by John Lamb, via Stray Dog Theatre's Facebook page Kevin O'Brien and Jeremy Goldmeier in Stray Dog's "Monsters"

In a basement somewhere in St. Louis, Jeremy (Kevin O’Brien) has a bleeding man tied to a chair. He wheels him in from the garage just as Andi (Sarajane Alverson) comes downstairs (it’s her house), sees the man and (understandably) starts freaking out.

So begins Monsters, a new comedy thriller by Stephen Peirick currently being staged at Stray Dog Theatre through June 24. Peirick is not a stranger to Stray Dog’s New Works Laboratory, where Monsters was read and critiqued in 2016 before being produced on the main stage. His play Four Sugars was part of the New Works Lab. Peirick has also had many of his one-acts and short plays staged, plus his full-length Wake Up, Cameron Dobbs was staged at St. Louis Theatre Community College and West End Players Guild before being nominated for an Outstanding New Play award from the St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards.

Not surprising then that Monsters has relatable and humorous characters, even if the humor only comes in moments. Though the premise seems to be a rather poorly planned kidnapping, it is actually family dynamics that take center stage. Jeremy is Andi’s brother-in-law, and something of a bumbler. Definitely not the type of person who could pull off a kidnapping or would even think to, but he’s helping his brother (and Andi’s husband) Davis (Jeremy Goldmeier).

Though there is a man tied up in their basement, family conversation keeps veering off topic. There are fights about laundry, family secrets are revealed, and Jeremy never misses a chance to throw in a Godfather quote.

Of course, as with all new works, there are a few more weaknesses than in tried-and-tested stage stalwarts. The dialogue is a bit repetitive and the situation never quite clicks. The characters don’t react how you’d expect to a kidnapping, which of course can be and sometimes is quite humorous, but often the character’s actions don’t ring true. For instance, Andi, who is trying to keep the kidnapping a secret from her sister, still has a long conversation with said sister with the man tied up in a closet a few feet away. Her explanation for taking such a risk? She forgot the man was there. Hardly likely.

To their credit, the cast, for the most part, turns in humorous performances, especially Carl (Michael A. Wells), the kidnapping victim; Kevin O’Brien (Jeremy), the lovable “heavy”; and Sarajane Alverson (Andi) around whom the entire drama essentially hangs.

Monsters is an entertaining 90 minutes, but though the play has a promising premise it also suffers from a fumbled execution.

Monsters runs at Stray Dog Theatre (Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennesse) through June 24. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thu–Sat. Tickets are $20 students and seniors or $25 adults. For more information call 314-865-1995 or visit their website.