theater

Yes, Defending the Caveman reinforces those age-old stereotypes between men and women. You know them: Guys prefer to drink out of milk cartons, not glasses; they do a "sniff test" to decide what to wear; and flip from channel to channel without ever pausing long enough to see what's on TV. And women just think men are assholes.

But more than a decade after it was originally written, are these arguments still relevant? Does the Caveman still need to be defended?

Absolutely, if you have Philly native Vince Valentine performing the show. Valentine beautifully conveys the Caveman's limited emotional range through great facial expressions, hand gestures and body language. In fact, Valentine is often seen suppressing a smile on stage because he is amused by the audience's laughter.

Although he is single, Valentine explained in a recent interview that he crafted his Caveman "by watching my married friends and my parents." The actor then admits that he is not that close to the character he plays. Does he create a "circle of sacred underwear" on the floor in his home? "No," he says, "because my mother raised me as a very strict, clean Italian and every day was sheet day. [Now] I live by myself, and it's difficult because I have no one else to clean up after me."

Yet Valentine does acknowledge that there is a little Caveman in him. "I'll watch TV and go two hours without watching anything."

Guys, skip the TV. Watch Valentine instead.

Defending the Caveman, Wed., Dec. 28, 8 p.m., $39.50-$44.50, through Jan. 29, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.