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Dirty
Reviewed by Vanessa Cate
Slaughterhouse Theatre Company at the Zephyr Theatre
Through Dec. 27
Matt (Max Lesser) works in the industry of capitalizing on others’ financial desperation – doling out high-stakes loans to companies on the verge of destruction. His profit comes at a price, and it’s usually many others that have to pay. Having been in this profession for years, it is disconcerting that Matt chooses the most inopportune moment to develop a conscience.
Because Matt’s wife, Katie (Melissa Baird), is expecting a child. At the very moment that financial security is more important than ever for his family, Matt decides that his job is just too immoral and quits. Perhaps this makes sense, as bringing a new person into the world might make him question his value as a person and parent. However, it’s his next idea, and solution to their financial woes, that perplexes most: opening his own porn company.
Katie is as perplexed as any of us. But Matt – with his signature salesman pitch – convinces her that not only will it be a financially sound choice, but a morally superior one. Because their company, Goodsex.com, will not objectify women, will not hire girls under the age of 25, and 90% of profits will go to philanthropic causes.
From this we already begin to suspect how naïve, and perhaps even simple Matt is. When he returns to his corrupt ex-boss Terry (Joe Hernandez-Kolski) asking for a loan, our suspicions are confirmed.
Enter Mikayla (Lisa Maley), the new poster-girl for the company. Despite Katie’s objections to her only being 20 years old, Matt relents easily to Terry’s persuasion. After all, she is Cambodian-Mexican, her mother was a victim of sex trafficking, she takes care of her kid sister April (Sumiko Braun), and she’s a hot “bi-racial, bi-lingual, bi-sexual” star in the making.
Thus, Matt’s vague ethical code is shattered, and in a climax that seems more a result of gross negligence than anything, true colors are revealed, and everyone must reflect on who they are and what went wrong.
Andrew Hinderaker’s play is most successful when we are free to witness the proceedings and come to our own conclusions regarding capitalism, sex, and morality. However, much of the time is spent with characters either despicable, pathetic, or both, presenting ideas as black and white to us and each other, while remaining ethically inconsistent themselves. Shannon Cochran succeeds in directing an ample cast to naturalistic expression. Even with three understudies, the performances were spotless. And while the play takes its time to get there, you will no doubt leave the theater feeling a little “dirty” – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Slaughterhouse Theatre Company at the Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Ave., W. Hlywd.; Fri. & Sat. 8 p.m. & Sun. 2 p.m.; through Dec. 21, (323)-960-4429, www.plays411.com/dirty
