The Center Theatre Group is living up to its self-appointed title of “L.A.’s Theatre Company.” Hosting large scale hit plays and musicals, exploring new works, and hosting various educational and community outreach programs, they continue to shine as an artistic beacon in our city. The latest little gem is the two man musical, Girlfriend, at the Kirk Douglas Theater in Culver City.
With a rockin’ all-woman band as the backdrop, Girlfriend tells a sweet coming-of-age tale of two high graduates navigating the clumsy steps of adolescent courtship. In this story, they just happen to be two young men. Set in 1993 Alliance, Nebraska, awkward Will (Ryder Bach) finds himself the object of affection of handsome school jock, Mike (Curt Hansen). With a demanding father, a small-town posse of baseball team pals, and a girlfriend hanging in the balance, Mike ever so slowly comes to grips with who he is. Shedding the restraints of his youth, he courts Will, who seems to have long since accepted himself.
Bach shows nothing of stereotype as Will goes from goofy dreamer to awakening young adult, bringing complexity to what might have been a one-dimensional character in the hands of a lesser actor. Hansen delivers more than his natural good looks and high technical skill, never indulging in overwrought antics as he reveals Mike’s conflict.
Girlfriend might have ventured into a treatise on society and politics, particularly as it is set in a less tolerant time in society. It does none of that; yes, bigotry is depicted, but it is not the point of the play. The point is young love – uncertain, inelegant, tottering young love. Gay or straight, wrestling with external influences and finding the courage to become who we are is one of the first milestones on the road to adulthood.
Matthew Sweet’s music and lyrics are a delight. And, the ladies of the band: bassist Vivi Rama, lead guitarist Janet Robin, and drummer Jyn Yates utterly rock it under the musical direction of conductor/keyboardist Julie Wolf. Bach and Hansen are true voiced and unbridled.
Hats off to Todd Almond for his patience and restraint, allowing the audience to lean into the story, quietly urging the characters forward. It would have been powerful to see Will make a different choice in the end, but everyone loves a “happy ending” and isn’t musical theatre the place for such idealistic conclusions?
Photo cred: https://www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/kirk-douglas-theatre/2014-15/girlfriend/