“Bachelorette” by Leslye Headland is currently Backyard
Renaissance Theatre latest production through April 1st in the
Blackbox Theatre in back of Diversionary Theatre.
A couple of thoughts came to mind as I contemplated the ‘sister
war’ that took place in an upscale hotel room (set by Justin Humphries lit by
Alex Crocker Lakness) somewhere in New York City on the eve of Becky’s
(Samantha Vesco) wedding such as, “With
friends like this, who needs enemies?” “Friends don’t let friend’s drink and
drive”. Or in this case friends look out
for friends with suicidal tendencies who pop pills with abandon, and snort coke
and lets add chugging booze and popping pills might cure what ails you, but
could kill you along the way.
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| Kay Marian McNellen and Lauren King |
Leslye Headland, writer/director of the “Seven Deadly Sins’ series, “Cinephilia” (lust), “Bachelorette”
(gluttony), “Assistance” (greed) “Surfer Girl” (sloth), Reverb”(wrath), “The
Accidental Blond” (envy) produced and premiered at the IAMA Theatre Company in
Los Angeles is now making her mark on locals who have seen the Renaissance Theatre’s
production.
No slackers here, Backyard Renaissance walked away with an
award from The San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Craig Noel Award just last year
for its Outstanding New Musical “Tarrytown”.
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| The cast of "Bachelorette" |
Under director Anthony Methvin’s keen eye the energy level
rippling through this 80 or so minute “Bachelorette” party rush to drugs,
alcohol and backstabbing behavior is almost non -stop chaos. It is comedy with deep
dark broad strokes save a few diversions by some unexpected boy toys that pop
in for, well use your imagination.
The story came to yours truly as a sad commentary on todays
fast paced, drug induced, sex obsessed and guileless era of ‘whatever’, while
laughs rang out in the small space the night I attended.
 |
| Rin Ehlers Sheldon is Regan |
Twenty –something’s Regan (Rin Ehlers Sheldon), Katie (KayMarian
McNellen) and Gina (Lauren King) have been friends for so long that almost forgotten stories pop up throughout the night that might be well put to bed by some. Gina and Kay were invited to spend the night and party. It's the the same suite at the hotel their friend Becky will become a bride to her wealthy
fiancé and will be staying after the ceremony. Regan, Becky's bridesmate invited them.
Regan decided to invite their other two friends, (since high-school) who were not even invited to the wedding up to the room to
celebrate another ‘whatever’ with her. And celebrate they do. First with
champagne bottles (“fifteen bottles of it chilling in the bathtub”) and then a
few hands-full of pills as chasers.
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| Samantha Vesco and Rin Ehlers Sheldon |
Although Becky is her ‘best friend, she can’t understand why her plus sized bestie is the first of the group to be getting married, let alone chose her as her bridesmate. Whatever. Regan came to the party fully equipped with a pocketbook filled with pills of every color and size.
The outcome was a recipe for disaster from dissing Becky, that when taken by itself is pretty mild although ‘catty’ to a fault accusing her of everything from being too fat to practically destroying the hotel room, to showing a complete lack of respect, to drinking her celebratory champagne, to causing a tear in her overpriced over sized wedding gown, to inviting a couple of male strangers to the room.
The outcome was a recipe for disaster from dissing Becky, that when taken by itself is pretty mild although ‘catty’ to a fault accusing her of everything from being too fat to practically destroying the hotel room, to showing a complete lack of respect, to drinking her celebratory champagne, to causing a tear in her overpriced over sized wedding gown, to inviting a couple of male strangers to the room.
Overall the cast is uniformly sharp, surprisingly real and
open to frank discussions of sex, oral and otherwise that some in the audience
might find offended.
If “Bachelorette” needs a rating system, I would have to give it an ‘R’.
If “Bachelorette” needs a rating system, I would have to give it an ‘R’.
 |
| Kay Marian McNellen |
McNellen’s Katie in her late twenties is a salesperson,
former prom queen and still lives with her parents. She has tried to kill
herself on numerous occasions. “I wish I could kill myself”. “I want to die and
I can’t bring myself to do it”.
 |
| Lauren King |
Lauren King’s Gina is filled with energy to spare and in
spite of it all her excesses her moral compass shows through when Katie has
overdosed and she (Gina) stays with her in the hospital holding her hand. “And
if Katie doesn’t wake up. “She’s willing to be there for that.” The sign of a
true friend, “Gina really looks out for Katie”.
Rin Ehlers Sheldon’s Regan can take credit for getting this
party off the ground by first inviting the other two to party with her and then
drops the ball and leaves. Both she and Katie share the same affliction, low
self esteem. Regan has been dating her abusive Dr. boyfriend for years and
thought she would be the first of the friends to tie the knot. She’s educated
with a degree from one of the Ivy League Schools but suffers from a big case of
the ‘woe is me’ factor.
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| Samantha Vasco |
Becky comes into this mess after most of the damage is done
and scores are being settled. Vesco is steady and most credible especially as
the bride to be completely put off by those who are supposed to be her friends.
Even coming late to the party and being in the last few scenes Vesco hits it big
time.
Both Jeff (Alex Guzman) and Joe (Graham Ehlers Sheldon) show us
the two- headed sides of the coin. Jeff is self -confident and the devil may
care big shot while Joe is tender and caring, sincerely about Kate’s well
being. Bong or no, he seems to have himself under control.
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| Graham Ehlers Sheldon and Kay Marian McNellen |
This mind of mine is always surprised at what theatre has to
teach me. As an octogenarian not much surprises me although I must admit
“Bachelorette” brought me one-step closer the opioid epidemic than I really
wanted to be. In my naivety, gluttony was always associated with food. How
wrong I was.
Up until the moment this review was printed, I had to ask
myself, “Why this play?” If seeing one small bit of gluttony in any form will
change ones mind, then I guess I have my answer.
See you at the theatre.
Dates: Through April 1st
Organization: Backyard Renaissance Theatre
Phone: 619-453-4856
Production Type: Black Comedy
Where: 4545 Park Blvd. 92116
Ticket Prices: $18.00-$35.00
Web: backyardrenaissance.com
Venue: Diversionary’s Black Box Theatre
Photo: Daren Scott
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