BWW Reviews: I WANNA DESTROY YOU: Pet Homosexuals
Beau (Anthony Johnson) is having a bad day. The air conditioner is broken in his studio in Brooklyn. His boyfriend Mick (Kieran Mulcare) wants to leave New York (and therefore Beau) and move back to Kentucky. Beau's work life, as assistant to famous romance novelist Cecile Collins (Geneva Carr) is stressful and unsatisfying as she prepares to marry Hal (Jamie Jackson), with help from her wedding planner Daphne (Kathy Searle), and Daphne's assistant Jim (Preston Martin). It's the evening that Marriage Equality will be voted on in New York. And on top of it all, Beau's turning 30.
Joshua Conkel's new play I Wanna Destroy You is not only very funny, but also is an Important Play. It takes the stereotype of a Rich Woman's pet homosexual/gay best friend, and explodes it. The feminine ideal of the Carrie/Stanford, Karen/Jack entitled!lady/asexual!queer relationship is a role that can chafe in its minstrelsy, and Conkel confronts that head on. This play presents a unique perspective and is both deeply contemplative and side-splittingly hilarious, frequently at the same time. If Woody Allen were young, hip, and cared about gay politics, he'd be dropping witty one-liners like "But you're not Cinderella. You're one of the woodland creatures who helps her get dressed."
Anthony Johnson as Beau wears his heart on his expressive face, constantly mugging and playing the clown for Cecile, and letting his desperation show through otherwise. Geneva Carr gives a genius comic performance as Cecile; she could have easily let the role be a caricature, but wrings the fragility and pain from it, which only deepens the comedy. Kieran Mulcare as only-sane-man Mick is a delightfully sincere and fun presence onstage. Jamie Jackson is a hoot as the clueless Hal. Kathy Searle is a sweet and yearning Daphne, and also has her funny moments to shine. Preston Martin is extra-funny as the over-the-top queeny Jim, a master of the vocal fry.
Dan Horrigan directs with surety, keeping the action flowing with the help of a great set by David L. Arsenault, which opens up and moves in impressive ways for off-off-Broadway. Nicole Wee's costume design is perfection. Anthony Mattana's music and sound design lend a festive air to the proceedings.
This play is really great. I hope it has a bright future.
I Wanna Destroy You
May 17 - June 01, 2013
Written by Joshua Conkel
Directed by Dan Horrigan
Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row
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Photos by Matthew Murphy:
- Anthony Johnson and Kieran Mulcare.
- Anthony Johnson, Geneva Carr, and Jamie Jackson
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