This week Tarleton State University theatre is presenting “Jake’s Women,” a show that, while a bit heavy on dialogue, is worth seeing.

The play stars Austin Long as Jake, a writer who is up to his ears in women. His sister, wife, therapist and daughter are among the ladies who regularly invade Jake’s mind in the midst of the reality that his real wife is about to leave him. After a slightly slow start, the show really gets going as Jake juggles his fictional versions of the women with the real ones, all the while hinting at a deeper psychological wound he can’t quite come to terms with.

Melissa Miles shines as Maggie, Jake’s tightly wound wife who is struggling to hold herself – and their marriage – together. Also notable are Trinidee Mitchell as Karen, Jake’s bitter and lonely sister who frequently aggravates him into admitting unfortunate truths, and Emily Trinke as Jake’s late wife, Julie, who adds a heartfelt sense of tragedy to a cast of otherwise cynical characters.

The real star of the show, however, is Long, portraying a man who’s tight-rope walk between imagination and insanity steadily becomes more precarious as the show goes on. Long shows off some real acting chops through the emotional ups and downs of the show, sure to have gained sympathy from viewers by the time the curtain closes.

Tarleton theatre has never disappointed when it comes to creative set design, and “Jake’s Women” is no exception to the trend. A simple, single-location set and some clever lighting choices keep the focus on the actors, who really deserve it.

“Jake’s Women” has its faults, like any show. The dialogue-loaded script becomes tedious at times, with some scenes seeming to drag on much longer than is necessary. This play will hold the interest of adult audiences without trouble, but it most definitely not recommended for children or viewers who have a hard time concentrating without some kind of visual stimulation.

Bottom line, this is a show worth watching for any viewer who has the attention span for it.

“Jake’s Women” will be shown in the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center Theater tonight through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Ticket information can be found at (254) 968-9639