April 2, 2009

Broadway review: LaBute's 'Reasons' to go to a play

NewYorkology contributor Alexandra Farkas last year directed the New York premiere of John Fleming’s “The Two Lives of Napoleon Beazley” at the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center is back as NewYorkology’s theater critic after a hiatus to give birth to a beautiful baby girl.

Neil LaBute writes in the program notes of his Broadway debut that this is “the first coming-of-age story I’ve ever written” — but don’t expect anything aw-shucks-like about this production. From the first avalanche of obscenities that kick off the show, to the last moment, it is a finely staged grown-up show with excellent performances.

A well-known playwright and screenwriter, LaBute is an expert at lacerating language and has created some of the most contemptible characters in recent memory, but “reasons to be pretty” is a departure for him in that he has written a story about how one man learns to be brave, which is a beautiful thing.

Terry Kinney has deftly directed his ensemble to tell LaBute’s “case for being yourself and standing up for what you believe in.”

The story’s protagonist, Greg, is played by Thomas Sadoski, who brings a lovely energy to the overly-smart slacker who is knocked around by life and friends. Marin Ireland’s Steph is the girlfriend he doesn’t mean to mortally offend, and her nuanced performance is both funny and touching. She does an admirable job of making the least realistic character a nuanced person you grow to like.

If the last thing you saw Piper Perabo in was “Coyote Ugly,” her performance as the not too bright but wise Carly will be a welcome surprise. And while Steven Pasquale’s Kent is kind of like the misogynistic bully older brother of his character Sean Garrity on “Rescue Me,” he’s great to watch.

Equally, the set and sound design help the play clip along at a lively pace and bring a real sense of the trap that has become Greg’s life.

LaBute claims his play is also about the nation’s obsession with beauty, which to a degree it is, and sure, it’s a great ad campaign; but the play lacks the style or edge to truly be a social comment. And that’s OK. This is a play about how life can suck you in and how hard it is to break free. LaBute doesn’t pander to assure the audience that it will all be fine and good in the end, but he certainly makes it clear that there’s no other way to go than your own way.

“reasons to be pretty” plays the Lyceum Theatre at 149 W. 45th St.

April 2, 2009 10:08 PM in Broadway, Midtown

®Copyright 2004 - 2010, All Rights Reserved