BWW Reviews: REASONS TO BE PRETTY at ArtsWest

ArtsWest Playhouse begins their 2010-2011 season of mostly Seattle premieres with Neil LaBute's Tony nominated play, "Reasons to be Pretty".  And while not the most groundbreaking play I've seen, with a powerhouse cast, they show just how good the Seattle Theater scene can be.

LaBute's play, like most of his work, takes a darkly comic look at modern relationships and in specific, "Reasons to be Pretty" focuses on the perception of beauty in our world obsessed physical perfection.  But more than that, it focuses on the relationships of two couples.  Greg and Steph have been together for 4 years and have run into a bump in the road when Greg innocently enough says that Steph's face is regular but not beautiful.  When this comment gets back to the emotionally volatile Steph all hell breaks loose.  And while Greg tries to convince Steph that what he said was actually a term of affection, Steph proceeds to throw every expletive in the book at him, along with a few more tangible items.  Meanwhile their friends Kent and Carly seem to have a good marriage until the womanizing Kent's eyes begin to wander and take the rest of him with them.  So not the happiest of couples but definitely more grounded in reality than what you might see in your typical romantic comedy.  And that's what LaBute is best at.  He shines the spotlight on the reality of our times, no matter how ugly it may be, and wraps it all up in some scathingly funny, quick and rich dialogue.  I have to say I've never been a huge fan of Mr. LaBute's work ever since I saw his 1997 film, "In the Company of Men", one of the most unapologetically misogynistic pieces around.  To me it felt over done and really just made me want to take a shower and renounce my gender after.  But I guess anything that can cause someone to have that much of a reaction must have some merit.  Since then he has grown into a more mature writer and I have to say, this work, while still quite harsh, is making me change my tune toward him.

But the appeal of this gritty comedy is due in no small part to the four stellar local actors in these roles.  Allison Standley as Carly while young is already a force to be reckoned with on stage.  She managed to take the smallest character in the show and made us feel for her.  David S. Hogan as Kent is not a new face in the Seattle scene having already had a wide and varied career.  And this performance shows why.  His despicable ladies man, more reminiscent to the LaBute I was used to, managed to actually have some layers to the character.  Not depth but definitely layers as he starts off as a charming if somewhat rough kind of guy and ends up as a swaggering child.  I can only hope this is all brilliant acting on his part for the sake of his co-star and real life wife,  Angela DiMarco who turns in a staggering performance as Steph.  One minute seething with rage and then next quiet and vulnerable, DiMarco shows why she is one of the best actresses the Seattle scene has to offer.  It's no wonder Theater Puget Sound just nominated her for one of their 2010 Gregory Awards as a "Person to Watch".  And last but certainly not least we have Shawn Law as Greg.  Law takes this trapped everyman and makes him the focal point and heart of the show.  Greg's a flawed guy but with all the best intentions and Law conveys that with laser sharp focus and the complexity of a truly gifted actor who is able to bring a character, with little guidance from the script, and flesh him out into a fully realized man filled with emotion and subtle nuisances.

They say that directing is 85% casting and with the first 85% quite well achieved by director Katjana Vadeboncoeur, she manages to bring in her final 15% with ease.  A wonderfully dark, richly comic, and realistically touching show with a lot to be proud of.  Not sure if this would be a good show for couples having problems, but if your relationship is solid (and I mean SOLID) then this would be a great date night.

"Reasons to be Pretty" plays at ArtsWest Playhouse through October 2^nd.  For tickets or information contact their box office at 206-938-0339 or visit them online at www.artswest.org.

Photo Credit: Michael Brunk

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