‘Beautified’ needs more action to sustain interest

By Cynthia Citron   

Cynthia Citron

LOS ANGELES — A rather persnickety lady from Newton, Massachusetts wanders into a beauty salon in Framingham, forms an unlikely friendship with the hairdresser, and keeps coming back regularly for 40 years.

That would seem to be loyalty above and beyond, since the distance between Newton and Framingham is the same as the distance between Santa Monica and North Hollywood.

But Tony Abatemarco’s new play, Beautified, now having its world premiere at the Skylight Theatre in Los Angeles, isn’t just about hairdressing.  It’s about friendship.

As the lady, Candy, (Karen Austin) poses the question in an opening monologue, “Can a man and a woman have a deep but platonic relationship over the years and not become sexually involved?”

Which is not exactly a legitimate question, since Mike, the hairdresser (admirably played by Rob Brownstein) is gay.

He wasn’t always “out” though.  Married for 30 years and the father of two annoying children that he very clearly loathes, he has finally given in to his “true nature” and left his family behind.

Beginning in 1969, the years go by in conversation, changes of kooky costumes, wigs, and photos of current hairdos on the wall to signify the transformations wrought by time.  Cleverly done, but not nearly as compelling or persuasive as Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn in the similarly plotted 1978 film Same Time, Next Year.

The problem with Beautified is that Mike and Candy’s problems are unconvincingly presented.  We see Candy briefly through cancer, and three (or four?) marriages and divorces to cardboard characters mentioned fleetingly in passing.  And Mike’s problems arise from his introspective meditations on his role in the world.  Is his life worthwhile? Has he made a difference?  The two characters talk across each other and, although their conversations are warm, they frequently lapse into tediousness.  There just isn’t enough momentum to hold your permanent interest.

Austin and Brownstein are both superb actors, but their characters remain static—almost claustrophobic—as they talk about the people in their lives that we’ll never meet or care about.

A third actor, Joanna Strapp, added presumably for comic relief, starts off as Mike’s dimwitted hippie assistant, plays a scene on roller skates, and periodically mangles a Boston accent.  She’s good, but not quite good enough to give the play the bounce it needs.

The excellent, award-winning director Jenny Sullivan has done as well as could be done with Tony Abatemarco’s abbreviated script, Jeff McLaughlin has designed a modest but serviceable set, and choreographer Cate Caplin has provided a small, sweet dance.  But a little more activity (and perhaps a few more people) might have helped.

Beautified” produced by the Katselas Theatre Company, plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 through July 1st at the Skylight Theatre, 1816 North Vermont Avenue, in Los Angeles.  Call (702) 582-8587 for tickets or visit www.ktctickets.com.

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Citron is Los Angeles bureau chief for San Diego Jewish World.  She may be contacted at cynthia.citron@sdjewishworld.com