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Red Flag

Reviewed by Vanessa Cate

Trouble Jones Productions at The Lost Studio Theatre

Through April 26

Writer/performer Melanie Maras is talented and beautiful enough to hold attention and deliver a great solo performance that straddles the line between comedy and drama. As a storyteller, she knows what she’s doing. It is unfortunate therefore that Red Flag, directed by Kate Sullivan, is so self-indulgent.

The first portion of the show holds promise, as Maras recounts her awkward, sweet, and boy-crazy youth and goes down a roster of past lovers. But when she gets to Leon – the Brad Pitt look-alike from Hawaii who seems too good to be true – the bloated self-pity becomes slightly sickening.

Presented as “A Cautionary Tale,” Red Flag doesn’t necessarily teach the audience anything. This staged experience is too much like talking to that friend (we all have one) who calls you up to talk to you about their relationship woes while you grit your teeth through it. Neither is there a resolution, other than the idea that Maras is still working on herself. 

What Maras might really need is a big hug, as the end to her relationship with Leon in real life is still quite fresh. Perhaps too fresh to create an unbiased or effective piece of art.

The Lost Studio Theatre, 130 S. La Brea Ave. L.A.; Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun., 7:30 p.m.; through April 26, www.redflagplay.com