Some say the one who cares the least in a relationship actually has the most power.

With that being said, meet Adolf, an insecure artist who feels inferior to his wife, Tekla, due to her dominating personality. She even calls him “little brother” as a term of endearment, and he calls her “big sister” in response.

“Creditors” begins with Adolf speaking to Gustav, a witty man who visits Adolf for six hours in the living room of his seaside resort. Surrounded by the beautiful view of an open, blue ocean, Gustav puts ideas into Adolf’s head about Tekla’s possible infidelity. He introduces the term "creditor," which is a man who haunts an unfaithful woman and the man she is unfaithful with. Gustav urges Adolf to take control of his relationship with Tekla, and he even suggests sexual abstinence.

When Gustav leaves and Tekla comes home, she becomes resistant to Adolf’s strange behavior and wonders where it’s coming from. A later conversation she has with Gustav gives her the answers to her questions. However, no one is expecting a discovery about Gustav’s past - be prepared for a tragic ending that hits you hard in the heart.

Even though “Creditors” addresses difficult topics, such as Adolf’s epilepsy, moments of laughter do occur. For example, Gustav describes a woman to Adolf as a “fat boy” who is tall and has breasts. Of all the jokes, the audience laughed at this one the most.

“Creditors” drags on and feels longer than 90 minutes, largely due to its structure. Three lengthy scenes make up the entire play; there’s one scene with Adolf and Gustav, one with Tekla and Adolf, and another with all three characters. The scenes are so long that it’s hard to pay attention.

Although “Creditors” has some funny jokes, the stakes could have been higher, and the actors could have been more immersed in their roles. Their acting abilities made them believable, but raising the stakes would have made for a more compelling performance.

If you want to see a play that contradicts gender stereotypes, exhibits emotional conversations and is sprinkled with occasional comedy, then “Creditors” is the right play for you.

“Creditors” will be playing at The Odyssey until Dec. 15.