The Muscles in Our Toes
It hadn’t been a good day. I scooted out of a cocktail party to head for Stephen Belber’s new play at the El Portal Forum Theatre and in the rush got red wine all over my pants and shoes. My hostess, though at least a size larger (I flattered myself), thoughtfully provided a substitute and a sweater to hide my shame. When I arrived at the theatre (with not a moment to spare), I was not in the mood for anything less than stupendous, brilliant theatre.
That’s my disclaimer for what is about to follow: While I found Belber’s group of characters to ring true to just about any 20-year reunion, his manipulation of them, twisted into a convoluted conspiracy plot-cum-racial and ethnic-confrontation just felt contrived.
Several buddies assemble away from the rest of the class of 1988 to really get down to the facts of their lives in the last 20 years. Les (Daniel Milder), always the one with the flair, now seems subdued about his life as a fight choreographer in movies. Reg (Michael Benyaer) seems to be the reasonable one; while Dante (Al Espinosa), whom his friends taunt as a “pseudo Jew,” has found new meaning in the word, “Zion.” Excitable Phil (Bill Tangradi) fills out the group. They return to their old camaraderie when they learn that their best friend Jim (Keith Ewell), the glue that always held them together, has been captured by rebels in Chad. They hatch a scheme to win his release that sends them spinning into ethnic hatred and violence.
Wait there’s more! I’ll will not reveal the surprise guest that appears during the event, but simply note the presence of the only woman in the cast. Carrie (Kristen Lee Kelly) who used to be the class “punch board,” is now divorced and still looking for love. Every time she enters the chorus room where the buddies have retreated any forward momentum of the plot screeches to a stop. Yet, Kelly’s appealing characterization of the “slut with the heart of gold” proves her to be the most poignant and well realized character of all.
Jennifer Chambers has directed, but it is Stephen Wolfert’s stage combat, especially the pseudo torture sequence, that gets the most rigorous workout. The Forum is a makeshift space and as such it must be difficult to assemble anything more than the box-like classroom backdrop that designer Donna Marquet has assembled. Brandon Baruch’s lighting is also simple, and sound by the incomparable John Zaldewski is minimal. With the exception of Kristen Lee Kelly’s dress, costumes assembled by Jamie Hebert seem “dressed down” from what one might expect from a reunion. But maybe that’s just me.
The Muscles in Our Toes performs at the El Portal Forum Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm through June 28th. All tickets, $25.00. Phone (866) 811-4111 or online at www.ovationtix.com.