Past Reviews

Regional Reviews: Los Angeles


Girlfriend
Kirk Douglas Theatre


Curt Hansen and Ryder Bach
Once in a while, I'll like an album so much that I'll buy it for all of my musically inclined friends and family. In 1991, that album was "Girlfriend," by Matthew Sweet. I was intoxicated by its mixture of pop hooks, swooning romanticism and killer guitar. Thus, when I read that a musical had been based on this non-concept album, I was concerned that something I loved was going to be reinterpreted poorly. I needn't have worried, as it turns out—Todd Almond's adaptation of Girlfriend, currently playing at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, is its own thing, a low-key and lovely expression of joy.

Alliance, Nebraska, Summer 1993—Will (Ryder Bach) is thrilled to be done with high school, but isn't too sure what to do with the next part of his life. He has a secret crush on jock Mike (Curt Hansen), but Will isn't out of the closet yet and he figures nothing will ever happen. He's surprised, then, to receive a mix tape of Matthew Sweet songs one day from Mike, and later an invitation to hang out at the drive-in together, watching a bad anime film. As the summer passes, the two bond over music as they slowly, unexpectedly fall in love with each other.

Bach is particularly adept at delineating the difference between Will's deliberately calm exterior as he tries to convince Mike that he's cool and his giddy interior where he exults that his life is finally beginning. He's expert with a deadpan line, and his duet with Hansen, "Your Sweet Voice" is a gorgeous highlight. Hansen, who resembles a Risky Business-era Tom Cruise, is terrific as Mike, funny and moving in equal measure. His singing voice approximates Sweet's range, and his delivery of "We're the Same" is a thing of delicate beauty.

Director Les Waters does nice work contrasting the difficulty of the two young men talking honestly to each other versus the effortless release of the music they love. Julie Wolf's music direction is equally effective with ballads and rockers, and she has the benefit of a kick-ass band that turns the Douglas into a happy concert crowd, especially with the irresistible title number.

Todd Almond's book brilliantly conveys the awkwardness of teenagers trying to connect despite the obstacles of unsure sexual orientation and looming life changes, every "um" and "uh" as deliberately placed and crucial as though in an early Mamet play. If Sweet's album didn't seem to specifically be about two young men falling for each other, it doesn't matter—this is a story of people inspired by his music, and one wonderful thing about music is that it includes everyone.

Girlfriend is an amazing balancing act of fragile emotions and energetic rock—a bubble floating blissfully untouched among a mosh pit—a sweet love story surrounded by delicious music. Don't miss it.

Girlfriend plays at the Kirk Douglas Theatre through August 9, 2015. Tickets and info are available at CenterTheatreGroup.org.

Center Theatre Group presents The Actors Theatre of Louisville production of Girlfriend. Book by Todd Almond. Music and Lyrics by Matthew Sweet. Directed by Les Waters. Music Direction by Julie Wolf. Lighting Designer, Ben Stanton; Scenic and Costume Designer, David Zinn; Choreographer, Joe Goode; Sound Designer, Jake Rodriguez; Production Stage Manager, Paul Mills Holmes.

Cast:
Will: Ryder Bach
Mike: Curt Hansen

The Band
Julie Wolf: Conductor, Keyboard, Guitar
Vivi Rama: Bass
Janet Robin : Lead Guitar
Jyn Yates: Drums


Photo: Craig Schwartz

- Terry Morgan


- Terry Morgan