This Girlfriend is Touching and Innovative

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Play Review by:Peter Foldy

July 30, 2015

Set in homophobic Nebraska in the early 1990s, the rock musical, GIRLFRIEND gives us a glimpse into the lives of two teenage boys – one a social outcast, the other the quintessential jock as they explore a relationship in the months between high school graduation and the end of summer.

With a bookPhoto 10 by Todd Almond and music and lyrics by Matthew Sweet, “Girfriend” has a refreshing innocence to it that is complimented by the upbeat and infectious melodies that first appeared on Mr. Sweet’s 1991 pop album, also titled,”Girlfriend.”

The story deals with “Will” (played by Ryder Bach) a young gay high school graduate who is happy to have survived the bullying and torment of being relatively open about his sexuality.  Will is stunned when on the last day of classes, one of the most popular kids in school, “Mike” (Curtis Hansen), hands him a mix tape of some of Mike’s favorite pop songs.

Will and Mike seem worlds apart.  Mike is handsome, a star of the school’s baseball team and soon to be on his way to med school, mainly to please his domineering father.  He is friends with all the jocks and says he has a girlfriend so why is he is suddenly seeking a friendship with quirky, introverted Will?  But a friendship does develop, Photo 12slowly at first in an awkward and mostly non verbal way.  The boys frequent a drive in and sit as far from each other as possible, afraid of a glance or an accidental bump of an arm.  They keep  conversation to a minimum, but the uncomfortable silence speak volumes about what each of them are thinking and feeling.  It’s as if you can almost read their minds.   And when they burst into one of Matthew Sweet’s pop classics, (after all this is a musical) it’s the sound of A.M. radio all over again.  Catchy melodies that set the mood for teen romance and instantly put a smile on your face.

Unlike kids of today who might hop in the sack after exchanging a couple of text messages, Mike and Will are innocent and tread slowly, after all this is middle America in the early 90s.  Mike is also understandably protective of his image and reputation.  Nebraska is not ready for a jock to have Photo 15feelings for a member of his own sex.  But Mike ultimately defies conventions and expectations and by the time the walls come down and Will and Mike’s friendship does turn into a relationship, it is the end of summer and the inevitable is on the horizon.  Mike has to go college and leave Will behind.

Curtis Hansen is the perfect “Mike.” With his Tom Cruise smile and all-American looks, he lets us feel the contradiction and his internal struggle as he comes to terms with an attraction that he can no longer deny.  Hansen carries a lot of the vocal duties in “Girlfriend” and does justice to Matthew Sweet’s pop anthems.

Ryder Bach, who originated the role of “Will” in a 2010 production of this show at the Berkley Rep is also excellent as the high school kid who falls in lovePhoto 07 knowing that it could all end badly.  His delivery is spot on and the source of many of the laughs in the play.

The economical set and realistic costumes by David Zinn compliment the purity and simplicity of the story and the relationship that is unfolding before us.

An energized all-female band led by Julie Wolf provides strong instrumental backing and tight harmonies as they rock out from the back of the stage in an area that has been designed to feel like a teenager’s basement.

Directed by Les Waters, “Girlfriend” ably captures the powerful emotions that most of us have felt as teenagers when we navigated new and uncharted romantic waters.  Those feelings seem even more poignant when the attractions are forbidden and frowned upon. That concept was not lost on the mostly middle aged audience at last Wednesday night’s performance.  Though one might have expected them to perhaps be judgmental, their reaction was positive and enthusiastic–and with good reason.  “Girlfriend” is fresh, touching and innovative.  It ends it’s run on August 9th.  Don’t miss it.

Where: Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City

When: 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 8:30 p.m. Thursdays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Ends Aug. 9.

Tickets: $25 to $59 (ticket prices subject to change)

Info: (213) 628-2772, www.centertheatregroup.org

Running time: 1 hour, 35 minutes, with no intermission

Photos by Craig Schwartz