Procreation
Justin Tanner is one of Los Angeles’ most dependable playwrights. Since 1987 he has produced many plays using the same group of actors he met in Los Angeles City College and expanding his troupe as the years progress. Up until now most of his plays were produced at the Zephyr theatre in West Hollywood which seemed the natural place since another LA playwright Del Shores had also used that venue frequently. The last Justin Tanner piece at the Zephyr was Voice Lessons with Laurie Metcalf, French Stewart and Maile Flanagan. After a hugely successful run it has moved on to off Broadway with the same cast for a brief run. Both playwrights have moved on, Del Shores to the Coast where he is presenting Yellow, and Tanner to the Odyssey Theatre where he is presenting his latest play Procreation. He claims the play is semi autographical but it features much of the same kind of dysfunction and hilarious depravity that has become his trademark. His plays are great but they are extremely entertaining. Procreation doesn’t disappoint.
Hope (a bossy Melissa Denton) is planning a birthday party for her alcoholic mother (Danielle Kennedy) and provides the reason or should I say excuse to gather the family in for a reunion. Well, for the most part they really don’t get along and in fact despise one another. In the course of the play secrets are revealed and lives change. Son Gavin, played with his belly hanging out by a funny Kody Batchelor, comes out of the closet. Hope’s siblings also have things they are hiding and come into play. Her brother (Danny Schmitz) is having an affair with her husband (Michael Halpin). But chooses to bring home a trick (a briefly nude Gary Holland) must to the consternation of everyone else. But there is also some love present in this family. I mean you just have to forgive them because they are so messed up. The catalyst for all the family disintegration or at least for bringing it out into the open is mom who has a secret to reveal that sets everyone on the collective asses. The evening is a rollickingly good time with lots of funny lines and outlandish situations. David Schweitzer directs. This is Tanner’s 20th produced play. Procreation will play at the Odyssey Theatre until August 15th.