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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 2001)
TH EA TER ..............V............... E van Wyler is a struggling, young gay writer. His debut novel has just been published, and his bare-chested likeness is selling books across town. He’s “the next big thing,” on the verge of his 15 minutes of fame. And he’s caught the attention of a sophisticated and glamorous woman with an electric presence that capti vates Evan in more ways than one. Alexa Vere de Vere is flawless. She’s a sexy black dress clinging to ample cleavage and legs to die for. She’s a black hob, an expensive clutch purse and a starlet’s cigarette holder. She’s smart, she’s resourceful, and her charisma is compelling. But as suave as she is, Alexa is more than just a rich fag hag. She’s a manipulator, more grifter than goddess. She’s an alluring, name-dropping, bigger- than-life persona who quickly entrances Evan— and, in just their first meeting, con vinces him to write the screenplay of her life. Almost as quickly, he fools himself into think i ing he loves her. And that’s just the beginning of Douglas Carter Beane’s As Bees in Honey Droum, a com edy staged by triangle productions! As the story continues, we learn the truth about Alexa and who she really is. And, true to her character, Daria O ’Neill’s bewitching portrayal is the centerpiece of this production. Audiences might recognize the multimedia personality from her morning show on KNRK-FM or her recent stint as the volup tuous WB32 weather gal. But here, O ’Neill maintains a savvy sense of restraint and understatement. She makes this would-be caricature believable, even endearing. We, tcxi, want to he won over by Alexa, follow A ffiiguiling buzz triangle productions! opens its 12th season with a captivating comedy by T im o t h y K r a u s e her, worship her, he seen with her and take care of her. Spencer Conway plays hot, young Evan as eager, earnest and striving for literary acclaim. His physical appeal is evident, and no one Names Alexa for scrambling under the sheets with him. It’s late in the play, however, when we glimpse Evan’s neuroses brought out so deftly by Alexa, finally illuminating why a gay man who says he dcx:sn’t love anyone, but sleeps with men, could be so swept off his feet as to fall for this female con. We end up not caring that Evan gets screwed (pun intended) and instead find ourselves drawn back to Alexa. (Yes, perhaps, as bees to honey.) Portraying the rest of the romantic and grit ty New Yorkers are Timeca Briggs, CW Jensen, Mieko Mitchell-Berke and Scott Weimer, who enliven the urban landscape. They swirl around Evan and Alexa like ballroom dancers who, for the most part, find their rhythm. Outstanding among this quartet is Weimer, who happeas to be Portland’s Mr. Gay Pride 2001-2002. He nails each of W his multiple roles, none more important than Mike Stabinsky, the frustrated artist who ultimately reveals Alexa’s juicy past. Weimer’s carnet« as a sales clerk and a musician showcase his comic range, while the final role of Mike permits him several tender and honest moments. With director Don Horn at the helm, this Portland premiere of Bees is a clever and cun ning production, smoothly sailing around Man hattan. His sparse staging allows the ear to savor Alexa’s deliciously affected repartee. (“Dahling! Laaamb! Where did I see you last.1 Tiffany’s? 1 so adore Tiffany’s.’’) Horn’s minimal sets and props wisely focus attention on the performances, as does lighting designed by Jeffrey D. Woods. Costumes by Elizabeth Wright go a long way toward fleshing out the sometimes sketchy minor characters. Beane, who also penned the screenplay To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar , is a witty storyteller, to be sure. But that skill is actually somewhat of a weakness in Bees, bend ing one of playwrighting’s primary principles to “show, don’t tell.” His intriguing characters articulate funny and absorbing stories, but the play’s thin plot provides little action, offering more amusing characterizations than active motivation. Still, as Evan says to Alexa, confection, pure confection. j n A s B ees in H oney D row n plays Thursday to Sunday through Sept. 29 at Theatre! Theater!, 3430 S.E . Belmont St. For times and tickets call 503-239-5919 or visit www.tnpro.org. TIMOTHY K r a u se is a UTiter and editor in Port land whose former life included several years of working in professional theater. The Hit Interactive Musical Phenomenon that took New York and London by Storm! FLAMBÉ NOW . The Classic Film With Subtitles- So Everyone Can SING ALO N G ! R e s ta u ra n t & Lounge Visit us at www.starkys.com @LE H A P P Y 503 . 230*7980 NW 16TH • 21 & O VER * Tired of eating alone? Limited Engagement! 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