The Way We Get By
by Neil LaBute
Directed by Nancy Bell
St. Louis Actors’ Studio
February 11, 2017
Andrew Rea, Sophia Brown
Photo by John Lamb
St. Louis Actors’ Studio has a strong relationship with playwright Neil LaBute. Having presented a festival bearing his name and featuring some of his one-act works every year, STLAS is now producing a full-length play by LaBute in the form of the quirky, character-driven The Way We Get By. Something of a belligerent romantic comedy with a twist, this play provides STLAS the chance to showcase two excellent performances in its leading roles.
The story starts off somewhat conventionally in terms of modern romantic comedy elements. Doug (Andrew Rea) and Beth (Sophia Brown) wake up in the morning at Beth’s apartment after having spent an impulsive night together. What first appears to be a somewhat conventional “hook-up and now what?” type of story soon reveals itself to be much more complicated than that, as Star Wars-obsessed manchild Doug and jaded, love-weary Beth reveal more of their personal history and what led them to this moment. There are clues early in the script that these two have something of a history together, but it takes a while to reveal exactly what that history is. I won’t reveal it here, but I will say that it depends somewhat on some unrealistic, clunkily evasive dialogue before the “bombshell” is finally dropped. Still, despite a little bit of artificiality at times, for the most part this is a clever, witty script with some insight into modern relationships well woven into the situation. There’s also a well-drawn offstage character in Beth’s roommate, Kim, who asserts her presence even though she never appears on stage. The characters’ family histories are believably sketched out as well, and all blend together with a liberal dose of pop culture references to make a funny and occasionally shocking character-driven play.
The two performers here are the key element of this production’s success. Rea’s talky, sometimes over-sincere Doug is at times charming and at other times appropriately annoying. Brown’s sense of exasperation with how her life has played out so far–romantically and otherwise–is clearly evident in her performance, as well. She’s at different times bold, confrontational, and insecure, and she and Rea have excellent, believable chemistry and sexual attraction. Their scenes together–whether arguing, negotiating, or just plain making out–are thoroughly convincing, and director Nancy Bell’s staging is dynamic and not too over-the-top. There’s a degree of shock value inherent in the situation, but it’s not overplayed here, and that’s a good thing.
The action is played out on Patrick Huber’s convincing, detailed set that recreates Beth’s small New York City apartment. The costumes by Carla Landis Evans are colorful and help to tell us about who these characters are, from Beth’s confrontational side to Doug’s geekiness. The excellent lighting by Huber also helps maintain the witty, sharp tone of the production.
This is a character comedy, mostly. Yes, it’s timely and topical and a little bit shocking, and it’s definitely for grown-ups, featuring sexual situations and brief nudity. The performances are key here, bringing LaBute’s good but sometimes slightly self-conscious seeming script to life with wit, emotion and especially strong chemistry. It’s a funny, memorable show, and it’s worth checking out while there’s still time.
Sophia Brown, Andrea Rea
Photo by John Lamb
St. Louis Actors’ Studio
St. Louis Actors’ Studio is presenting The Way We Get By at the Gaslight Theatre until February 26, 2017.
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