Is it possible you might be what Connecticut-born, Ridgefield-raised actor/writer Paul Stroili calls a "renaissance geek" -- a man who knows all the things he's not supposed to -- a straight guy with a gay eye?

Stroili's one-man show, "Straight Up With a Twist," now in its third month at the Players Theatre in New York City, is a comic homage to this newest addition to the genus known as homo. It's a more complicated persona than the metrosexual, who Stroili says is just a man revenging himself on-hard-to-get women by dressing better than they do.

This fearlessly funny autobiographical journey details how Stroili came to find himself an expert on wines, fabrics, color combinations, food and other such unfamiliar entries in the heterosexual man's guide to impressing women.

Sadly Stroili was to learn that while women are attracted to sensitive men, they often prefer to go home with the rugby player.

Not so Stroili's wife, Monica, who was thrilled when he selected the prefect wedding dress for her after she and his mother had failed. "I'm so lucky to have found you," she said, "you're like the gay friend I always wanted that I could have sex with."

"Twist" is not stand-up comedy, although Stroili is a warm and appealing performer and can hold the stage on his own. He's wisely chosen to let his family members and those around him report on his "sensitive" attributes.

He masterfully morphs into his chain-smoking German mother, Charlotte, his gentle Italian father, Bruno -- "I hoped both of my sons would be boys." He's also his goofball brother, John, who has the pelvic twitch of a burlesque stripper, aesthete drama teacher Kendal Jackson, shrink Dr. Weaver, and back again into his lovable, incredibly fussy self.

Each of these characters is sharply drawn and given some priceless one-liners to deliver. The portrait of a young man who puzzled his parents and friends is both amusing and thought provoking. His mother was shaken when she found a Wine Spectator magazine along with Playboy under his mattress, while his father didn't know what to think when the toolbox he gave his son was turned into a planter.

Stroili's shrink declared that he had the "aesthetic sensibilities of an arrogant homosexual," which is like throwing down the gauntlet to both geeks, gays and straights. As far as Stroili was concerned, it was all just a matter of intuitiveness.

The jokes are funny, sometimes a little raunchy and sharp as a tack. Stroili says it's possible that Jesus himself was a renaissance geek: "The loaves and fishes miracle is a perfect example of think-on-your-feet party planning."

As a diversion from the autobiographical details, the show takes a breather with a television game show "It's All Geek to Me," with volunteers from the audience. Stroili also includes a painful reminder of the fashions of the '70s and '80s by demonstrating such icons of the period as "Members Only" and buckskin jackets. Of the later, Stroili says they were what the Marlboro Man wore when he was smoking Virginia Slims.

The show is played on a simple set and has been directed with a good eye to balance and movement by director Bill Penton.

Women will find this show hilarious and men, those not afraid of facing their sensitive sides, will also have a laugh even if they're stunned when Stroili warns, "Don't call me during the football game, that's when I vacuum."

"Straight Up With a Twist" is playing at the Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street between Bleecker and Third in Greenwich Village, New York City. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 and matinees Saturdays and Sundays at 3. Running time is 75 minutes with no intermission.

Tickets are $46. Call Telecharge at (212) 239-6200.

Adult language makes this unsuitable for those under the age of 16.