Utopia

Reviewed by Deborah Klugman
Bootleg Theatre
Through March 5

Co-written by writer/performers David Douglas and Martin Head, Utopia revolves around a faceoff between Martin (Head), a community entrepreneur looking to create an art gallery reflecting the lives and hopes of people of color, and David (Douglas), an artist and former colleague whom he’s summoned from Albuquerque to work with him on the project.

According to the story synopsis in the press notes, their meeting begins amiably, then deteriorates as differences in their personalities and perspectives are revealed. The latter includes their wildly different takes on the police shooting of an unarmed homeless man on the street shortly before David’s arrival.

The script (a debut effort for both Head and Douglas) features a sound premise and worthy social themes, but the details in the back story are a bit murky and the logic surrounding the men’s altercations — and the motives of Martin in particular — aren’t always clear or consistent.

One problem with the drama is that the playwrights tip their hats too soon. Right from the start there’s palpable hostility from Martin; David has barely discarded his jacket before his host is reminding him of a perceived betrayal that occurred around their last unsuccessful joint venture. When David asks for a down payment for his services up front, surely not an outlandish request, he’s met with angry resentment. Given the response, there’s no reason for this artist not to head out the door then and there. But, inexplicably (except that it would mean the end of the play), he does not.

The performances, under Katherine Whitney’s direction, are better than the vehicle — especially the well-grounded Douglas, who cuts a sympathetic figure trying to reason with the edgy and demanding Martin. Head has the more difficult role, as it’s puzzling why his character would fly his former “friend” in from another state, then proceed to harass and belittle him every which way.  The performer exudes the appropriate nervous energy, however, perhaps to be utilized in a future production after the play’s knots and kinks have been untied and ironed out.

Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., Westlake; Thurs.-Sun., 7:30 pm.; through March 5. (213) 389-3856, bootlegtheater.org. Running time: one hour, 20 minutes with no intermission.