May 6, 2005
THEATER BEAT
Privacy rites in the Big Apple
Only connect? It's never that simple, as the toxically
interconnected New Yorkers of James Christy Jr.'s "Never Tell" learn.
At its best, in director Lindsay Allbaugh's assured production, Christy's
roundelay of secrets, lies and videotape captures both the visceral horror of
violated privacy and the exhilaration of blowing down well-fortified personal
boundaries.
The play's demolition genius is the loquacious, eerily magnetic
slacker Hoover, in a born-to-play-him performance by Tito Ortiz. Stomping
smilingly through the lives of a quartet of tenuously bonded friendsÑcomputer
nerd Manny (Christopher Game), basket-case venture capitalist Liz (Gia
McGinley), taciturn Chelsea gallery manager Will (Robert Foster) and his
high-strung banker wife, Anne (Marisa O'Brien)Ñthe glibly frank Hoover is the
most lively and original character.
After placing this blissful spoiler in the path of his characters'
conflicting interests and hinting at the barely concealed lies on which they've
built their lives, Christy's second act unravels in ways that are both
predictable and improbable. Will's art dealings, and the dark, self-serving
muse behind them, are particularly hard to swallow and seem to belong in a
different play.
But even when his dramaturgy grows dubious, Christy's distinctive
voiceÑboth sharp and searchingÑremains clear, and the actors, particularly the
pent-up Game, dig in with relish. A series of well-wrought monologues about the
leads' youthful sexual initiations get intent readings, with Bosco Flanagan's
hand-held lights giving them a campfire-confessional feeling. And Allbaugh
handles the play's abundant scene changes across Joel Daavid's versatile,
gallery-worthy set with telling bursts of alt-rockÑyet another well-placed
element in this promising if imperfect effort.
"Never Tell," Elephant Theatre Company, 6322
Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays to Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays.
Ends June 4. $15. (323) 960-4429. Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes.