INTO THE HEART OF JESUS
REVIEW: DREAM BOY
BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO
Celebration Theatre presents the LA premiere of Dream Boy, based on the novel by Jim Grimsley. This play by Eric Rosen skillfully adapts the content, themes and characters of novel into a play that is beautifully natural, raw and captivating on stage. Dream Boy is a poignant tale of first love between two high-school boys against the backdrop of repression and religion in 1970s North Carolina. This deceptively simple narrative about young love has so much to offer as it explores themes of parental abuse, romance, religion, violence and ultimately liberation. Watching this story live on stage is a fully emotional experience—this play cuts deep, letting the audience bear witness to a full sacrifice of heartbreaking love.
Matthew Boehm, left, and Randall Ray Clute.
Rosen’s writing is magnificent—he creates a dynamic emotional journey chock full of characters that are as genuine as apple pie. The most striking storytelling feature in the play is the use of an omnipresent narrator that relates, comments and engages in the story. As the play progresses, you get the sense that the narrator is more than what he appears to be as he is alluded to be an adult version of Nathan, making the his presence even more essential. The structure of the play is smart, precise, and alluring—the way a good play should be. The first act is a wonderful collection of short scenes that develop the budding, then steamy, romance between Nathan and Roy, while providing us with backstory of the characters. The second act is a tour de force of tragedy, metaphysical denouement and redemption.
Craig Jorczak, left, Matthew Boehm, Randall Ray Clute and Billy Evans.
Michael Matthews‘ direction is superb, taking what Grimsley and Rosen have created and making magic on stage. Every element is elegantly calculated and streamlined—moving together seamlessly, keeping you in the drama from start to finish. Using a minimalist approach to staging, Matthews leaves much to imagination yet contrives visual moments that serve as picturesque snapshots of heightened moments in the play. Additionally the use of Baptist hymns sung by the cast as bookends to the play creates a religious sense of community that echoes the play’s themes. Matthews is a master of dramatic pacing, scene-to-scene, act-to-act; the play is wholly engaging and dynamic.
Christopher Maikish, back, and Matthew Boehm.
The narrator (Christopher Maikish) offers one of the most accomplished and vitalizing performances of the evening. Maikish in more than a narrator—he lives the story with us, with Nathan, and as the play progresses, he too begins to unravel, revealing his symbiotic relationship to our protagonist. Nathan’s (Matthew Boehm) performance is touching and heartfelt. Boehm uses his entire being to successfully capture the essence of what its like to fall in love for the first time. Boehm sacrifices everything on stage and when he’s finally saved we are right there with him, hoping for the best. Nathan’s secret lover Roy (Randall Ray Clute) is the perfect counterpart to Nathan, he is strong and confident; Clute’s reactions are always quick and purposeful.
Dream Boy is a scathingly dark and erotic tale of young love with an exquisite production befitting of this powerful chronicle. Dream Boy plays through March 20th at the Celebration Theatre at the Lex. For more information and tickets visit: www.celebrationtheatre.com.
