This archness is purposeful it is Ms. Edson's way of showing us how completely Vivian is out of touch with her feelings but the cute self-mockery to which she stoops, which is italicized and underlined by Ms. Nixon's acting, is no more believable than the haze of sentiment through which her agonizing death is seen.
WSJ: Wit | The Motherf**cker With the Hat | Into the (Spot)light | Theater Reviews by Terry Teachout