AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN at NCTC

AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN by Douglas Carter Beane, directed by Andrew Nance. The New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Walker Theatre, 25 Van Ness Ave. at Market St., San Francisco, 94102. Tickets are available at NCTC’s Box Office (415) 861 8972, or online at www.nctcsf.org. Runs through December 21, 2008 (There are no performances on November 16, 26, and 27).

ACT 1: FRENETIC WITHOUT CLASS ACT 2: A WINNER

Plays written about the theatre often emphasize problems with writing a second act. “As Bees In Honey Drown” author Douglas Carter Beane, winner of a 2007 Tony Award nomination for “The Little Dog Laughed” and the book for cult favorite “Xanadu”, does not have that problem. The second act is worth the wait with its well-paced, zany story line expertly blocked making up for a first act mish mash that needs work. The problem is not in the writing but in the direction relying on physical shtick where a touch of class is needed.

Six characters play 21 roles with the two leads having the luxury of playing one character. They can be considered co-protagonists, if there is such a term. Even Wyler (Jonathan Bock) is a gay twenty something year old novelist enjoying his 15 minutes of fame as “the hot young thing of the moment” rating a semi-nude photo in a splashy magazine. Alexa Vere de Vere (Juliet Heller), a con artist of the highest quality who preys on the “almost famous”, stripping them of their cash and egos. Evan is her latest conquest. Alexa claims to be a record producer asking Evan to write a screenplay based on her unbelievable life in society. She promises him fame and fortune, just as she has promised other young celebrities before she rips them off. Writers are her favorite because, "they always have the last word--they know so many" and "nobody pulls the cashmere over their heads."

As Alexa drags naïve Evan around New York money is spent like a drunken sailor with lavish dining, expensive clothing from Saks Fifth Avenue etc. Early on Evan offers to pay for lunch, and through a clever ruse shecons him into repeatedly paying, with her promise to repay, which she never does. Alexa even cons homosexual Evan into a romantic sexual liaison sealing the deal. The movies supposedly beckon when Evan discovers his credit card has maxed out and Alexa has disappeared. The search for the true Alexa leads to record producer Morris Kaden (Dene Larson) who helps to unravel the mystery at the end of Act 1.

With revenge on his mind, Evan meets Alexa's supposedly dead husband, Michael “just plain Mike” Stabinsky (Ben Fisher), a painter who is alive and living in New York. The story of how Mike and Brenda Gelb, just plain “poor white trash” from Pennsylvania, created Alexa Vere de Vere unfolds followed by a plan by Morris Kaden, dancer Illya Mannon (Stephanie Goldstein) and violinist Ginny Camerson (Melissa Jones Briggs) to unmask Alexa. Not all goes well but there is a satisfying ending not to be revealed here.

Heller has the most demanding role with almost the entire first act devoted to her monologs only briefly interrupted by the many characters. She displays her acting diversity when she appears as just plain Brenda Gelb before she is consumed by the “Alexa personae.” Bock exudes naïve charm as Evan before Alexa “stole my arrogance” that is regained before the play ends. Kudos goes to Ben Fisher for his underplaying to perfection of Mike the painter. The remainder of the cast has their moments to shine, especially in the second act. Some of the directorial problems are accentuated by the tiny utilitarian, yet attractive, set created by Seren Helday. Prem Lathi’s costumes do add a touch of class to the show.
Running time about 2 hours including intermission.
Courtesy of TheatreWorld Internet Magazine
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