"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" (Nietzsche). . . well, in theory at least. After seeing Next Act Theatre's production of William Nicholson's "The Retreat from Moscow," however, I am still reeling from the emotional impact of the work. Not to mention the STELLAR acting of Milwaukee Rep veteran Peter Silbert, Obie award-winning actress Linda Stephens and Eddie Collins. The simple set, complete with working electric kettle, effectively serves as a seemingly normal backdrop for the everyday events that quickly unfold and transform the lives of Edward, his wife Alice and their 32-year old son, Jamie.

Next Act Theatre is truly a source of theatrical gold in this town. The acting is consistently top notch and "The Retreat from Moscow" is no exception - from the powerful confrontations between Edward and Alice to Peter Silbert's resentful expression as he stood behind Alice who was badgering Jamie about going to church. William Nicholson's dialogue is so natural that you feel, all too well, the tensions that infuse deceptively mundane conversations between the couple, who have been married for 33 years. Everything from "How was your day?" to "Do you want to go out?" serves as a battleground for the two characters. Eddie Collins exquisitely plays the role of the adult child caught in the middle of his emotionally needy parents. When he's not defending himself from his mother's criticisms, he struggles to maintain his own sense of normalcy outside of his childhood home with mixed results. Collins's acting versatility really shines as he switches instantaneously from a heated defense of his personal philosophy to a game of "Name that Poet."

In addition, Linda Stephens portrays the somewhat emotionally unstable Alice in a way that demands compassion from the viewer, rather than going the two-dimensional "nag" route. She effectively personifies the frustration, anger, sadness and disappointment of a woman who feels trapped in her 33-year marriage to passive-aggressive Edward. Stephens expertly transforms her pleas for "real" conversation with Edward into accusations, "You don't say what you really feel."

Peter Silbert lends an edge to the typical hen-pecked husband stereotype. His avoidance of his wife's constant criticisms is akin to that of a professional dodger. Yet when he is psyching himself up to deliver his family a major life-bomb, his inner struggle seems almost visceral. His battle with himself to finally put an end to the viscous cycle of the 33-year psychodrama that was his marriage is almost too painful to watch.

What is more, Nicholson does not allow his characters to take the easy road to emotional recovery. Rather than a predictable "time heals all wounds" theme, he forces the family to undergo a complicated sequence of ups and downs. Eddie Collins' expression of guilt for not wanting to babysit his emotional train wreck of a mother perfectly dovetails into Peter Silbert's labored explanation of his feelings of "survivor guilt."

All in all, Next Act Theatre's production of "The Retreat from Moscow" is the best thing I've seen in a long time. Be warned, however - this is not for the weak of heart. By the end of the show, you will be feeling like Napoleon's troops after they were trounced by the Russians. Nevertheless, it is well worth it.

"The Retreat from Moscow" runs through Feb. 19. For more information, call (414) 278-0765.