This is a short, challenging piece, to say the least. It's an eccentric, two-woman show written with wit and loads of cynicism by Peter Hedges, the man who penned the fantastic What's Eating Gilbert Grape? If you buy into the premise—that one of the women is married to a blind, hairless, armless, legless sweetheart named Brad—the play raises interesting questions about love, relationships, and domestic violence. If you don't, it's just plain disturbing.
Brad's Wife (Elise Ballard) is a newlywed who's just moved to Nashville. She's just met Dana Sue Kaye (Elizabeth Greer) in church. Dana Sue, a native of Nashville, takes to Brad's Wife like a pimp to a girl fresh off the bus, swooping down on her and initiating a friendship. The two spend lots of time together and have much more in common than we think. Brad's Wife is a sweet aspiring singer whose husband has always been supportive. She has a few issues with her situation, but Brad is the one for her, despite his flaky, crusty, Christmas cookie-like skin. Dana Sue is married to Alex, the catch of the town. Alex makes love like a god and even calls to read Dana Sue the sexy parts of the Bible. She appears to be at the top of her game: "I am not God, I'm part God. My hair feels holy." But over time Alex becomes cruel and abusive, and Dana Sue begins to see the merits of a nice stump of a man like Brad—a man with no arms, legs, or eyes, just complimentary words.
Greer and Ballard are terrific. Greer is particularly hilarious as the classic Bible thumper who's sour on the inside, sweet as molasses on the outside. Aggressive, desperate, and vulnerable, her energy drives the play. She takes a stereotypical character and makes her real. Beaten mercilessly, urged by her friend to leave her husband, she responds, "Most people are quitters." Not the most original line, but the integrity of her performance makes us think about it. As the truth about Ballard's character's past is revealed, we increasingly appreciate her subtle performance. She takes what could be a ridiculous set of circumstances and makes them look like choices anyone might make.
The play has some shortcomings. The first half is lopsided, with Brad's Wife barely getting a word in. It also flies out of the box like an absurdist comedy and devolves into a sentimental dramedy. Some lines are twisted and laugh-out-loud funny, others are groaners. "He makes me want to be better." Ugh. As recognizable as the two women are, it's such a dark view of men that it's hard to take it seriously. Are there really only two kinds of men: psychos who make you have sex with dogs or sweet freaks like Brad? Director Louis K. Plante does a nice job letting these two have fun, although he should improve their object work in the car scene.
Hedges reminds us that our first impressions don't always tell the whole story, but this brief demonstration of extremes comes off as more of a character piece than a morality tale.
"Imagining Brad," presented by and at Masquers' Cabaret, 8334 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles. Tues. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27-Apr. 3. $10 (one-drink minimum). (310) 712-1601.