All of this could have become mere soap opera with a dash of sulfuric acid in the soap. But 29-year-old Frank Pugliese brings a mordant power to his portrayal of these postmodern Dead End Kids. In a scene that’s both scary and funny, Charlie zips up his baby in a bowling bag for an evening at the local saloon (“Bring a baby and get free drinks”). The young cast sizzles with energy, deployed by Frederick Zollo in a hightension off-Broadway production. Will scouts from tube and screen ambush Pugliese? Just say no, Frank.
