More than any other movie, I have a compulsion to share In the Company of Men with friends. As far as I know, it's the only movie rated R for emotional cruelty, so it's sometimes problematic I share something with such disturbing content. Yet I value Neil LaBute's honest exploration of our ugly side because few writers do it so effectively. His fascination with relationships and beauty continues in Reasons to Be Pretty, now running at The Studio Theatre. While his characters have familiar streaks of misogyny and inarticulateness, I was surprised to find he lets them (and, by extension, the audience) off the hook. Whereas his past work featured brutal lessons from hateful people, this play ends on a note of measured optimism. Though the final scenes deviate from the playwright's strengths, the cast and production ably capture the subtleties of Labute's layered dialogue.
Greg (Ryan Artzberger) and Steph (Margot White) are a young couple who have been together for years. As they play begins, Steph is in the throes of an angry rant while Greg is confused by her hostility. Turns out Steph heard from her friend Carly (Teresa Stephenson) that Greg had something not-so-nice to say about Steph's attractiveness. In an ill-advised attempt to nullify the situation, Greg notes Carly was listening from a distance, and his conversation with Carly's husband Kent (Thom Miller) was private. Steph remains bullish in her search for what Greg truly said, and when Carly proves to be accurate, Greg finds himself single. Both he and Steph struggle to move on, though their small town and overlapping friendships render this difficult. Still reeling from the break-up, Greg begins to mature, especially as he uncovers more of Kent's ugly side.
The biggest difference between Reasons to Be Pretty and Labute's other work is its blue-collar setting. With whistles signaling the start of an all-night shift, the characters are uneducated and lack sophistication. That is not to say they lack emotional depth or intelligence; as each of them undergo a trial, they experience significant pain and loss. It follows that the different socioeconomic status forces Labute to generate dramatic tension in different ways. Past characters buried their motives and desires, however depraved, behind a smokescreen of expensive clothes and an erudite vocabulary. Here the characters lack the ability to communicate their feelings in a nuanced way, and the tension arises when you see their missteps before they do. Such an approach creates sympathy in the audience. The male lead of In the Company of Men is a monster precisely because he knows what he's doing, whereas I only wish Greg could better explain himself. While not short on words, Steph also has trouble saying what she feels - at one point she resorts to a childish screed concerning Greg's unattractiveness, and though she later acknowledges its primary purpose, it's fascinating to watch characters who tangle with issues deeper than their vocabulary. Even though Labute strays away from familiar territory, no one is better at dissecting miscommunication in relationships.
Physical appearance is important with such subject matter, and here the actors are well-cast for their looks and ability. As Kent, Thom Miller excels as a vulgarian who's used to getting by on his looks. It's no surprise he reminds me of high school classmates - he's immature and quick to mock the weakness of others. Despite his loathsome nature, his crass one-liners are some of the play's funniest (yes, despite what I've written so far, Reasons to Be Pretty can be quite funny). Greg counteracts Kent in looks and personality, and in this regard, Ryan Artzberger fits the bill. Lanky and unkempt, he has the gait of a tall guy uncomfortable in his own skin. Throughout the play he talks out of the side of his mouth, particularly as he argues with Steph. I have no idea whether Artzberger always talks this way, but it's completely convincing and perfect for the role.
Through her dark eyes, Teresa Stephenson's Carly changes from clueless and mean into thoughtful and kind. Watch how she regards Greg at the beginning and end of the play. It's a convincing, subdued transformation, and though Carly is the least interesting character, Stephenson excels with what she's given. Labute plunges audiences into an argument with no context, and in this regard Steph is the trickiest role - Margot White must justify her seemingly disproportionate anger while also allowing audiences to see Steph's side. The performance nearly goes over the top, yet White exudes enough vulnerability to make you ultimately care. Moreover, even though she's quite pretty, it's easy to see how an ass like Greg could make such a comment to Kent.
Earlier I noted how Reasons to be Pretty ends on a bittersweet note, one that's unusual for a Labute. Perhaps he feels catharsis is appropriate, as it is the last in a trilogy of plays in which attractiveness is a central theme. Perhaps Labute wants to suggest blue collar Americans, while relatively inarticulate, are more capable of selflessness and grace. Either way, since characters change for the better instead of revealing their inner ugliness, they learn their lessons along with the audience. Without shock or disquiet, the play lacks the devastating power that defines Labute's previous efforts. Still, it is satisfying to see characters end up in a place they deserve, particularly when the cast and production work so well. Director David Muse and set designer Debra Booth do outstanding work, as does fight choreographer Robb Hunter, who put together a wholly convincing violent sequence. But for all its strengths and insight, I doubt I'll have the same compulsion to share this play with friends.
Reasons to Be Pretty is running at The Studio Theatre, located 1501 14th Street NW, until May 2nd. Buy tickets here!
Previously in Live DC:
- 5/24: LiveDC: The Adicts @ RNR Hotel
- 5/24: LiveDC: The Donkeys @ Black Cat
- 5/23: LiveDC: The Barr Brothers w/ Kishi Bashi @ The Hamilton
- 5/23: LiveDC: Damien Jurado @ Black Cat
- 5/23: Report: Soundbites 2012
- 5/22: LiveDC: Spirit Animal @ Red Palace
- 5/22: LiveDC: Astra Via @ Black Cat
- 5/22: LiveDC: Father John Misty @ Rock & Roll Hotel
- 5/22: LiveDC: Drive-By Truckers and Lucinda Williams @ Merriweather
- 5/22: Photos: Summer Camp takes the "Ladies of Town" Drag Show
God loves a cheerful giver.
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