Aidan's Bed Nice Work for Naughty By Arthur B. Cohan III for the Texas Triangle
AUSTIN - Writer/Director Blake Yelavich has finally come all the
way out of the closet with his newest production, Aidan's Bed.
And it's been well worth the wait. The first totally gay theme
production of his original works (that have been pleasing Austin
audiences for nearly a decade.) "Aidan's Bed" is also
well worth the $15 ticket price. It's a fantastic evening of entertainment.
Yelavich, whose works often take on an element of autobiography,
is among Austin's best theatrical writers. He keeps proving, himself
time after time. Bed illustrates how he is able to write dialogue
that is not only believable but fluid; his work is consistently
charming and refreshing to observe.
Yelavich has become known for his trademark muscle men or "gym
queens" who usually tramp around his productions in barely
anything at all or nothing at all; Bed follows suit. But unlike
Gratuitous Nudity (the opening song of the Stephen Bates' off
Broadway hit, Naked Boys Singing), Yelavich's use of nudity is
anything but gratuitous in nature. Therein lies the autobiography,
mimicking his first on-stage role as a stripteasing style waiter
in a California staging of Robert Altman's Beyond Therapy.
Speaking of therapy, that seems to be just what the cast of characters
need in Bed. The lives of five individuals become intertwined
in this drama about relationships. "My life seems to be made
up of beds, ...And if it is - I want better sheets!" is roughly
how Jody Lanclos (Aidan) puts it.
Lanclos, who has transformed from drag queen to gym queen, proves
that he can be much more than a recognizable talent in a dress.
Aidan struggles to find love while confining himself to the box
that he scars himself with, both emotionally and physically. Yelavich
definitely has brought out the best in Lanclos in his performance
as the psychologically intelligent and relationship-oriented well-balanced
being most of us strive to become. Aidan's character, however,
seems a bit too perfect in that sense. Dialogue that is too civilized
and too perfect often takes away from the reality that many actually
live in. The break-up between Aidan and Barrett (Paul Parkinson)
in the first scene entitled "Ennui" (definition: boredom;
listlessness), is too civilized. However, this scene is executed
with such vigor that it grabs the audience's attention and lays
the groundwork for the fine performances that are yet to come.
Yelavich has cast an ensemble that epitomizes entertainment and
fun. Brionne Davis (Clint aka Elijah Storm) and Jessica Claire
Barst (Deidre) shine brightly in their roles. Davis is both physically
and professionally attractive in this role as the closeted soap
opera star, Elijah Storm. This actor can act, and act he does.
An outstanding display of sensitivity shines through in this performance,
in which he emits a sense of struggle and naivete.
In the role of Deidre, the non-contracted, struggling, fag hag
soap actress, Barst proves that she is a talent with notable comedic
timing and a fresh look that propels her into the spotlight. Without
a question, we would love to see this actress again on the stage.
Rounding off the cast is Joe Chauncey (Evan) as the plastic surgeon/childhood
friend of Aidan. This newcomer to the stage has some rough edges.
However, he is convincing as the self-absorbed perfect guy with
the perfect body with the perfect career, and perfect personality.
It would be nice if Yelavich challenged himself further and wrote
a script that describes an attractive "regular guy"
(as Clint describes Aidan as) as a guy possessing a body type
other than the predictably muscular one.
The staging publicized as a drama entertains with very finely
written lines that pull the audience in on so many different levels.
Lines that are truly funny ease some of the potential uneasiness.
Although stereotypical moments exist in his script, the manner
in which they emerge and executed soften them. They remind us
of the notion that although stereotyping is usually considered
a politically incorrect assumption, they usually are based on
some truth. This truth is what Yelavich examines.
Aidan's Bed is an example of the fine entertainment and talent
that can be found in Austin.
Aidan's Bed runs through March 24 at Hyde Park Theater. Info:
512-407-8877
Our reviewer's rating: A+