The Queen Brings The Buzz: 'As Bees In Honey Drown'

As Bees In Honey Drown
By Douglas Carter Beane
Directed by Russell Garrett; Set Designer, Lisa Pegnato; Costume Designer, Kurt S. Hultgren; Lighting Designer, Andrew Andrews; Production Manager and Sound Designer, Ed Thurber; Props Master, Nathan Colby; Stage Manager, Steven Espach

CAST
Dayle Ballentine, Alexa Vere de Vere
Christopher Michael Brophy, Ronald, Skunk, Mike
Amanda Ferguson, Amber, Secretary, Bethany, Ginny, Backup Singer, Muse
Merrill Peiffer, Waiter, Carla, Denise, Illya, Newsstand Woman, Backup Singer, Muse
Christopher James Webb, Photographer, Swen, Kaden, Clerk
Dan Whelton, Evan Wyler

Performances through November 11, 2007 at Foothills Theatre Company
Box Office 508-754-3314 or www.foothillstheatre.com

It seems to be Douglas Carter Beane's year. He received a 2007 Tony Award nomination for his new play The Little Dog Laughed and is represented on Broadway this season by Xanadu, which he adapted from the Olivia Newton John film. And now Worcester, Massachusetts gets a sample of Beane's satirical savvy as Foothills Theatre Company presents As Bees In Honey Drown, a play about life, art, and reinvention.

The strength of this production lies in the portrayals of the quirky characters and the sheer delight of the actors in bringing them to life. Exhibit A is Dayle Ballentine who, as Alexa Vere de Vere, has the juiciest role, as well as the wackiest name and back-story to match. She is the fulcrum around which the rest of the cast revolve. They have to spin fast to keep up, but they are well matched. Dan Whelton evolves nicely from hot, young novelist Evan Wyler with stars in his eyes to become the "person he was meant to be." While two of the parts Christopher Michael Brophy plays are gay men, he gives us three distinctly different characterizations: Mike is a gay artist, yet quite down to earth; Skunk is a foul-mouthed British rocker; and Ronald is a very fey salesman in a tony haberdashery. Christopher James Webb handles multiple roles as well and makes a great contribution as record producer Morris Kaden, appearing wise and sardonic at the same time. Amanda Ferguson and Merrill Peiffer complete the cast and depict thirteen characters between them.

The playwright has conjured up these folks to provide a peek behind the curtain into the world of art, fame, and celebrity. Evan Wyler is sort of an everyman who gets caught up in the manic whirlwind that is Alexa Vere de Vere and the audience joins him willingly on the ride. As a couple, they are a strange pairing at first, but he is lured by Alexa's allure and the promise of cash, stardom, and being in. He is unaware of what he must surrender if he makes a deal with her, but therein lays the moral of the story. Unfortunately, Beane wants to be sure we get the message, so the tale gets retold and hashed over repeatedly as Evan encounters the legions of people who share his experience and explains his desire for retribution.    

One of the enchanting things about the play is the absolutely unabashed, unfettered name-dropping and cultural references. It serves to make Alexa exciting and interesting to her prey, both on stage and in the audience. For instance, when have you ever heard anyone ask, "If you absolutely had to sleep with one of the Three Stooges, which one would it be?" (Any work that includes references to Moe, Larry, and Curly is okay in my book!) Throw in David Bowie, Iman, the Pet Shop Boys, Hollywood, London, and the south of France, and, well, who wouldn't be intrigued? Beane's intention of trying to enthrall the audience is much better served by showing Alexa's exhilarating lifestyle than by talking about the shallowness of the media-fed masses.

There is a great deal of rapid-fire witty repartee and Director Russell Garrett keeps the action moving at a good clip. With minimal sets and the strategic use of lighting effects and props, it is an efficient production that keeps the focus on the actors. And if you're wondering about the significance of the title, it gets mentioned at least three or four times throughout the play and relates to the creation of possibilities, finding what one wants in life. Despite its humor, As Bees In Honey Drown is also a cautionary tale: Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.