Without wanting to compare politics to the underworld, the play "Say You Love Satan" is a little like a candidate who comes out for one issue after the other to please everyone, then ends up not standing for much of anything.

Theatre on the Square's latest show tells the fantastic tale of Andrew, a Baltimore graduate student who hooks up with Jack, a charming, but increasingly sinister guy. At first, the play by Nicaraguan-born dramatist and comic book writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa appears to be a light comedy about a gay relationship, and maybe bad dates.

But "Satan" quickly gets caught up in what Andrew's friend, Bernadette, describes as "the occult horror show" that is Andrew's life. The occult part has everything to do with Jack, who says that he's literally the devil's son, but a rebellious one who undoes the evil done by the Prince of Darkness.

There are also narratives in which Andrew, a Russian literature student specializing in Dostoevsky, makes periodic reference to "The Brothers Karamazov," which deals with the murder of an evil father and explores a multitude of human sins and struggles.

So which is it with "Satan?" Throw-away comedy? Domestic drama? Horror show? Morality play?

It's probably at its best exploring comic elements of relationships among men. But even there, some situations and characters come across as clichés. Overall, TOTS offers a fun production of a play that bedevils by trying to do too many things.

The two lead actors are new to the Indianapolis theater scene. With each there is a degree of naiveté and freshness.

As Andrew, Nate Walden seemed stodgy in his opening monolog Friday night, but quickly recovered, and demonstrated a wonderful way with sarcastic humor -- a good thing, considering the character's long series of narratives.

Patrick Koenig's Jack avoids affecting an evil voice or strange body language, wisely choosing a natural, focused confidence. It might be fun to see a little less seriousness, and a bit more done with the role's irony and humor.

As Bernadette, Erin Cohenour is hilarious as Andrew's single female friend who leaves a series of annoyed voicemails when she discovers that Andrew has found a boyfriend before she did. As Jerrod, Andrew's good-natured admirer, Joshua Ramsey comes across as mainly sincere, but pulls off a great laugh while with a cadaver.

Director Ron Spencer infuses the show with lots of rich moments, thanks to well-timed lines, pointed looks and physical humor. Zach Rosing contributes clever use of video. Despite the seemingly conflicting layers of script, this production ultimately manages to focus on a deeper meaning, about simply doing the right thing.