“Century” sends up stereotypes
By Charlene Baldridge
A primer on playwright/screenwriter Paul Rudnick would certainly include his 1993 play “Jeffrey,” a funny and rather poignant play/film that concerns a gay man who gives up sex in the early months of the AIDS crisis, then meets the love of his life.
As for his latest play, Rudnick said in an interview that he wrote three short monologues about composite people he loves, including him, and then put them together under the title “The New Century.” The 2008 comedy, reviewed well by the New York Times’ Ben Brantley, may be seen currently through January 2 at Diversionary Theatre in University Heights.
“The New Century” is directed by Igor Goldin, highly praised for his Diversionary staging last season of the World War II musical “Yank!” Goldin has cast some of San Diego’s best comics in the frantic and antic “New Century.” Why then did it so offend the viewer December 10? Perhaps Dana Hooley as Helene and Phil Johnson as Mr. Charles — whose monologues make up the first act — were simply trying too hard.
We meet Helene, who calls herself “the most loving mother of all time,” at the Massapequa chapter of P.L.G.B.T.Q.C.C.C.&O. (Parents of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgendered, Questioning, Curious, Creatively Concerned and Others), where in confessional style she tells of her three unusual adult children, all of whom came out to her when they were quite young. Obviously, Helene is really conflicted over the situation, and to hear her tell the details of her children’s lives and make such fun of each child’s activities, especially the youngest son’s, is offensive.
Rudnick, however, says that if he doesn’t offend someone — even gays and lesbians — he’s not doing his job.
Johnson, a standup comic and an excellent farceur, portrays Mr. Charles, a flamboyant middle-aged television host. Thanks to costume designer Jennifer Brawn Gittings, he is hysterically got up in pastel clothing (Palm Beach, don’t you know) and a truly awful blond wig. His household includes his young “ward” (Noah Langton in an impressive local debut), who role-plays for Mr. Charles, even appearing in an extended nude scene.
Next Rudnick pays tribute to the Redbook set through Barbara Ellen (excellent Jacque Wilke), whose son died of AIDS. To keep herself from collapsing (her husband is no help), she makes outrageously funny crafts, such as Santa Claus sock monkeys. Perhaps because Wilke so underplays the character’s emotions and is so adept at skating over the depth of her pain, this is the most enjoyable of the three small plays.
Rudnick couldn’t resist bringing together these four actors, plus Stacey Hardke as a young mother who believes Mr. Charles determines which babies will be gay merely by pointing at them. They come together in a maternity ward, where Helene’s daughter and her partner have just given birth to a baby. For what purpose they are here — comic, underlying pathos alleviated or merely to do so — is never made clear and the play merely sputters to conclusion.
Minorities have always enjoyed making sport of themselves and their more stereotypical representations. This example, however, seems especially cruel-minded. Nonetheless, “The New Century” could be someone’s cup of New Year’s cheer.
“The New Century” continues at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays with special holiday week performances, $29-$33, Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd. San Diego, www.diversionary.org or (619) 220-0097.
Charlene Baldridge is a member of the San Diego Critics Circle with more than 30 years experience writing about the arts.
