Regional Reviews: Washington, D.C. NSFW (Not Safe for Work) Also see Susan's reviews of The Letters, The Price and Zombie: The American
NSFW, fluidly directed at Round House by Meredith McDonough, is ostensibly about the dehumanizing influence of media on the images (and self-images) of women, but that by itself would be both didactic and not entertaining. Kirkwood filters the premise through a comedy of two workplaces that would seem to stand at opposite points on the publishing spectrum: Doghouse, a crass men's magazine that admits it's about selling titillating photos of young women and not much else, and Electra, a sleek, upscale women's magazine. (The decline of print media and the advent of online content is touched on but is not a major concern.) Aidan (James Whalen), the bullying editor of Doghouse, makes no bones about his business, saying, "We have nothing but respect for the legally adult women we show." (It's the "legally adult" part that leads to trouble.) He demands that his staff members do anything he asks, no matter how degrading or potentially dangerous, and lets them know how tight the job market is if they don't agree. For example, he asks one employee to spend time in a cabin near the Arctic Circle for a "man challenge" feature, then tells another to fictionalize his marriage proposal for publication. The action moves to Electra, dominated by elegant and always-in-control Miranda (Deborah Hazlett), when a member of the Doghouse crew is forced to seek other employment. The potential hire soon learns that no woman is too attractive to avoid "perfecting" through Photoshopand that includes Miranda herself, as depicted in a flashy wordless scene. While the entire cast is fine, Hazlett is the standout. The title's label of "not safe for work" is a warning to audiences who are uncomfortable with displays of partial nudity. Tony Cisek's modular scenic design moves easily between the man-cave Doghouse officescomplete with grass carpet, a cooler filled with beer, and oversized cover photos of barely dressed young womento the chic, understated Electra offices, all off-black walls and white furniture.
Round House Theatre
|