Four Review in LA Weekly
FOUR
A New England Fourth of July evening unwinds with a middle-aged father treating a teenager to Big Macs and an action movie before they view the local fireworks display. The man’s daughter dutifully remains home to watch over her ailing mother while swatting away the telephone calls of a boy who wants to take her out on a date. This might sound like a drowsy night of Americana, except that the man is African-American and the white 16-year-old he’s meeting for the first time is someone’s else’s son. Christopher Shinn’s 80-minute roundelay of scenes concerns four people who reach out but never quite connect with their wishes - or each other. Joe (Michael A. Shepperd) and June (Nathan Frizzell) found each other while cruising the Internet. This will be June’s first foray into gay sex and, as kind and gentle as his chaperone is, nothing about this night will feel right or comfortable for him. Meanwhile, Abigayle (Cesili Williams) calls back Dexter (Blaine Vedros), a slightly older Hispanic pot dealer, and the two are soon riding in his car and arguing about life. Shinn’s play is a sharply observed portrayal of American loneliness and vulnerability - amid the menacing pop of firecrackers, his two interracial couples seem ever alert to a disapproving outside world that may turn on them any minute. A memorable cast makes director Michael Matthews’ production an auspicious new start for the Celebration Theater, now under Matthews’ helm. Celebration Theater, 7051-B Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd.; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru Dec. 11. (323) 957-1884. Written 11/10/2005 (Steven Mikulan)
A New England Fourth of July evening unwinds with a middle-aged father treating a teenager to Big Macs and an action movie before they view the local fireworks display. The man’s daughter dutifully remains home to watch over her ailing mother while swatting away the telephone calls of a boy who wants to take her out on a date. This might sound like a drowsy night of Americana, except that the man is African-American and the white 16-year-old he’s meeting for the first time is someone’s else’s son. Christopher Shinn’s 80-minute roundelay of scenes concerns four people who reach out but never quite connect with their wishes - or each other. Joe (Michael A. Shepperd) and June (Nathan Frizzell) found each other while cruising the Internet. This will be June’s first foray into gay sex and, as kind and gentle as his chaperone is, nothing about this night will feel right or comfortable for him. Meanwhile, Abigayle (Cesili Williams) calls back Dexter (Blaine Vedros), a slightly older Hispanic pot dealer, and the two are soon riding in his car and arguing about life. Shinn’s play is a sharply observed portrayal of American loneliness and vulnerability - amid the menacing pop of firecrackers, his two interracial couples seem ever alert to a disapproving outside world that may turn on them any minute. A memorable cast makes director Michael Matthews’ production an auspicious new start for the Celebration Theater, now under Matthews’ helm. Celebration Theater, 7051-B Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd.; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru Dec. 11. (323) 957-1884. Written 11/10/2005 (Steven Mikulan)