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A CurtainUp Los Angeles Review
Anything


Go back to Brentwood in that tired outfit you call Casual Friday and while you're there, shove it up your ass. — Freda
Although playwright Timothy McNeil co-stars as Early Landry in this fierce and funny play, he's given all the zingers to his leading lady (as I'm sure he would want me to describe her), Freda Von Rhenburg, the transvestite hooker this sad Southern gentleman falls in love with. Early, a recent widower, has been forcibly relocated to Los Angeles after four suicide attempts by his sister, overbearing film company executive Laurette Sachman (Mim Drew). He has enough survival instinct to avoid moving in with her and takes an apartment in Hollywood where, through the paper-thin walls, he hears Freda being rejected by her hunky guitar-playing boyfriend Larry (Max Williams) — To her accusatory "What's Fatass giving you?quot; he retorts " A bullshit-free environment.", Over the course of the play, we see what he means

It's a tribute to McNeil's writing that he brings this flaming foul-mouthed drug addict down to a livable level while bringing Early up out of his funk to action, whether it's hiding Freda's pills at the risk of his life, bravely introducing her to his family, or writing her a description of himself and his heterosexual preferences. Freda shares her life history, too, describing with poignant bitterness the taunts of her father and displaying on her face the bruises from homophobes or vicious clients.

At a family dinner that goes south fast, Laurette forces Early to admit Freda is a man. Her husband Ted Sachman (David Franco) begs her to be more tolerant and teen-age son Jack (Jeremy Glazer) acts like the whole thing is the most fun he's ever had.

McNeil handles the ups and downs of this unlikely relationship with insight, humor and a flair for words that make him a playwright to watchr. As a leading man, he conveys Early's depression, shyness and the ultimate strength and courage he finds in himself.

Louis Jacobs is the real deal as Freda. From the first moment he's hilariously vulgar and hauntingly believable. Director David Fofi astutely brings out the nuances in these people and makes the most of a solid supporting cast.

Matt Maenpaa has designed a set of many spaces without losing the apartments drab East Hollywood ambiance and an upper level that displays Upstairs Slackers/Guitarists Robert Foster and Josh Breeding, who play appropriately heartsick Western tunes between the 11 acts. Character is nicely displayed in Amelia French's costumes, especially in the women's executive drab for Laurette and great boots for Freda.

ANYTHING
Playwright: Tim McNeil
Director: David Fofi
Cast: Tim McNeil (Early Landry), Louis Jacobs (Freda Von Rhenburg), Mim Drew, Cheryl Huggins (Laurette Sachman), David Franco, Don Cesario (Ted Sachman), Jeremy Glazer, Michael Miro (Jack Sachman), Max Williams, CJ Chris Riddell (Larry), Upstairs Slackers/Guitarists (Robert Foster, Josh Breeding) (
Set Design: Max Maenpaa
Lighting Design: Edward S. Marks
Costume Design: Amelia French
Sound Design: Robert Foster, Christopher Game
Running Time: Two hours 40 minutes, one intermission
Running Dates: December 1, 2007-January 13, 2008
Where: The Elephant/Lillian Theatre, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood, Reservations: (323) 960-4410
Reviewed by Laura Hitchcock on December 7.


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