We Need This Musical To Stop Us From Killing Ourselves
Reviewed by Lovell Estell III
Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre
Through July 14
RECOMMENDED
Halfway into Glasgow Lyman and Jeff Rosick’s delightfully twisted musical comedy (now in an extended run from the Fringe Festival) this reviewer was reminded of the unsettling opening lines from Camus’ “The Myth of Sisyphus,” in which he stated, “There is only one really serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide.” In that same essay he went on to say that “I see many people die because they judge that life is not worth living.”
With the recent high-profile deaths of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade, the issues of mental health and suicide have again entered the ground of public awareness. Before the show, Lyman pays tribute to both, and emphasizes that this production is not trivializing such serious topics. But even in the darkest recesses of life, there are often opportunities to extract some humor, which is what this show cleverly accomplishes.
Rosick portrays well-intentioned but beleaguered psychotherapist Dr. Hansen. In the hilarious intro, we are introduced to some of his clients (played by Lyman and Adyn Wood), whose assorted maladies include failure to poop, the boob job from hell, parental issues, and a case of brother and sister family incest. These are funny enough, but even funnier is the little musical ditty Dr. Hansen sings afterwards in which the principle refrain is “shut the fuck up” —no doubt a sentiment many a frustrated therapist has dreamed of unleashing on his patients.
Lyman and Wood are double-funny as Mitchell and Sarah, the doctor’s doubly screwed up patients whose “disturbances” are driven by career difficulties and family issues. Mitchell is a failed actor who utterly loathes his successful brother, while Sarah, an aspiring chanteuse, cannot handle constant parental scorn and withering job opportunities. Nothing is left for them but “suicide for two,” which they celebrate with wine and a raucous song and dance number, along with a prominently displayed noose. But a reprieve from the gallows comes when the doctor promises to hook them up with a bigshot producer —if they don’t kill themselves—and they want him to be a part of the show, which uncrates some thorny ethical issues for the therapist.
This all nimbly transpires on a small stage with a few pieces of office furniture. Despite the grim subject matter, the show cleverly unearths plenty of laughs. Rosick’s music and lyrics are especially entertaining.
Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre, 5636 Melrose Ave., L.A.; Sat, July 14. 9 p.m. https://hff18.org/5103. Running time: 40 minutes no intermission.
