Review: DREAM BOY - A Powerfully Inspired Vision of an Horrific Nightmare

DREAM BOY/by Eric Rosen/directed by Michael Matthews/Celebration Theatre @ the Lex/thru March 20, 2016

Celebration Theatre solidly mounts (as they're always known to do) a stunning production of the Los Angeles premiere of DREAM BOY. All the acting and tech elements flawlessly gel in this intriguing drama, firm-handedly and smoothly directed by Michael Matthews, mesmerizingly guiding you through the everyday life of Nathan (the Dream Boy), even with the foreboding sense of some inevitable heartrending events to come. Matthews' razor-sharp eye for detail bolsters the actors' portrayals all the more keen for the audience to understand the characters -- the touching, intimate and unwanted; the looks, direct and avoiding; the kisses, flirty and passionate.

However, playwright Eric Rosen's piece might be too raw or uncomfortable for those sensitive to issues of bullying or abuse. Thankfully, acts of brutality are staged unseen and left to the audience's imagination. The ambiguous (shall we say) "supernatural" ending might leave some more puzzled than satisfied. Especially after two hours of involving, straight forward, naturalistic storytelling; the final scenes seem added on to prevent DREAM BOY from having a completely tragic ending.

Teenager Nathan with his Mother and Father have moved from town to town landing in Potter's Lake. Mother and Father religiously attend church services with Nathan in tow more often than not. Being the new kid in town, Nathan's lucky to be befriended by Roy, an older schoolmate who lives next door.

As the high school newbie Nathan, Matthew Boehm projects the perfect contradicting mix of innocence, joy, and damaged caution. Randall Ray Clute revels in the less sympathetic role of Roy, the confident popular guy with a girlfriend and closeted desires he acts on with Nathan. Nathan and Roy's sex scenes handled tastefully innocent and refreshingly. Roy's buddies include the most-times a**hole Burke (well-embodied by Billy Evans) and the butt of their collective ribbing Randy (played convincingly by Craig Jorczak).

Both Elizabeth Dement and Jim Hanna - quite substantial in their portrayals of the much loving Mother/obedient wife and the explosive, very troubled, scripture-quoting Father.

Wonderful stage device utilizing the compelling Christopher Maikish as the all-knowing Narrator who advances the plot while seamlessly doubling as set piece changer and props wrangler. Nice!

Both Kate Connor (as Roy's obliviously friendly Mom) and Erin McIntosh (as nosy classmate Hannah) have their individual moments to shine on stage.

Kudos to Stephen Gifford's chameleon-use wood-planked set. Backed with a large slanted frame serving as a picture window to the exteriors of Nathan's home; locales instantly change from Nathan's bedroom, their dining room, to the schoolyard, Roy's car, a cemetery, the forest, and a deserted plantation house.

Sound designer Rebecca Kessin's and music consultant Gregory Nabours' use of music box tunes, telling gospel songs and other mood-inducing sounds complement the bleak and sometimes scary goings-on.

Interesting that in this industry town full of budding young teenage actors; the roles of Roy, Burke and Randy seem to be cast in the Beverly Hills 90210/Grease: Live belief that grown-ups can easily pass for high schoolers. Fortunately, Tim Swiss' specific and low lighting designs greatly mask the age differences while enhancing the unfolding suspense.

In the end, which would you prefer: a parent who believes your accusations that your other parent abused you and then helplessly stands by and does nothing? Or..., a parent who rejects your claims in total denial of your other parent's culpability/guilt and distances themselves from you? Ultimately, in DREAM BOY, it's not left to Nathan to choose.

www.celebrationtheatre.com

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