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Sibling Rivalry

Reviewed by Lovell Estell III

The Lounge Theater

Through September 27

This evening of two one-acts tests the boundaries of forgiveness and bonds of love among a dueling set of brothers and sisters.

James McLure’s “Lone Star,” is set in a redneck dive in a backwater Texas town in 1972, where we encounter Roy (Taylor Handling) and his gentle, slow-witted brother Ray (Wes McGee), enjoying beers on a star-filled night. There’s lots of small talk and banter about cars, girls, sexual dalliances, and their shared, hardscrabble past, which for Roy includes a stint in Vietnam that has left him deeply scarred, emotionally and psychologically. He is frequently abusive to Ray, but their love for each other runs deep and is genuine. That is until the village idiot, Cletis (Joe Massingill), stops by and triggers a spate of disturbing revelations that push both men to the edge.

Though nothing eventually happens in the play, the characters are skillfully etched and are irresistibly engaging. McLure’s ear for gritty, lowbrow and sometimes outrageously funny dialogue shines throughout, and director Troy Ruptash draws good performances from the cast.

“Rosemary with Ginger” isn’t quite as entertaining. Directed by Ruptash and written by Edward Allen Baker, it’s set in a small Rhode Island diner that’s closing for good. Ginger (Kim Hamilton) is busy packing up when her older sister Rosemary (Kirsta Peterson) arrives to help Ginger write an essay about their mother for a contest prize. The occasion is ripe for the emergence of simmering resentments and conflicts. These two have at it from moment one about their shitty childhood, past loves, their bad marriages and even worse parenting skills. Nevertheless, the play holds few surprises and even less interest, its redeeming features being its short length and decent performances.

The Lounge Theatre 2, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. matinee Sept. 27.; through Sept. 27. Plays411.com/siblingrivalry. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes