A Sassy and Truthful Comedy that Highlights this Theatre Company’s Essence
I truly felt that JC Lee’s To My Girls is totally Diversionary’s essence. And I also have to say that many things claimed about Millennials are mostly (and I guess also) for Gen X, as we younger X’s are in this generational border with the older Millennials, and it all gets mixed in.
The story takes place in a Palm Springs Airbnb owned by Bernie (Frank DiPalermo), who, if we continue with the generational cohort, is either an older X or a younger Boomer, flirty and with stories for days. He rented his fabulous desert home to Curtis (Wil Bethmann), who wants all his friends to get together again for a fun weekend. And, do some content for the ‘Gram while they’re at it. The gang includes his former roommate, Castor (Wilfred Paloma), Leo (Zack King), coming from the East Coast, and Jeff (Luke Harvey Jacobs). The margarita blending and sunbathing get off to a reasonable yet brief start, as Curtis has not been fully honest with the crew. After an evening of partying, Castor meets Omar (Jocorey Mitchell) and invites him back to the house. People fall asleep, spend the night in the wrong bedroom, make indecent proposals, and those skeletons start dancing out of the closet.
Mathys Herbert’s gorgeous set design brought to life a modern 80s-style house full of color and aesthetic. From the Andy Warhol-esque posters of Liza Minnelli and Audrey Hepburn, to a lamp with legs upside down. All in great harmony and detail with Joshua Heming’s fresh, sharp lighting that made the set and scenes pop using ambers, pinks, and oranges, truly embodying the late 90s and early 2000s.
Jesse Marchese’s direction is also handled with care, leading a well-balanced cast that is not bad on the eyes either, to deliver powerful scenes full of truth, others with iconic music from (my) Britney Spears, and the Spice Girls that was blasted out just right, thanks to Remus Harrington’s sound.
Wil Bethmann, as the weekend planner, gave a multilayered Curtis who gets lost in his own labyrinth while performing a fantastic solo dance courtesy of Luke Harvey Jacobs’ choreography, and also playing the role of Jeff, a role that, even though brief, is mighty and will leave audiences wanting more stage time.
Frank DiPalermo is hilarious as the mouthy republican Bernie with sassy tints. Zack King is the honest, grounded Leo giving pace and grace with soft tones and solid intention, rocking Danita Lee’s costumes. All the pieces in the costume design were fashion-forward and original, from Omar’s pink and blue Speedos to Curtis’ half-see-through shirt. But Leo’s pieces were my favorite. I would wear them all. (maybe that half-see-through shirt too).
There is a combination between the tenderness in Castor’s character and the actual, histrionic tenderness of Wilfred Paloma that just brought magic to the stage, showing a young adult man, scared to lean into his flaws and own them. Something that is appreciated because it is not exclusive to anyone but is universal.
Loving Jocorey Mitchell’s acting journey. From his performance as Everett in Cygnet’s The Hot Wing King earlier this year to Omar in this production, also a brief role, but full of personality and charm.
JC Lee’s writing truly captured these generations, as well as the meaning of healthy boundaries and generational gaps, all highlighted with love, care, and, why not? Very entertaining drama. And within the generational gap, Lee dives deeper into the Gay men’s generational gap, where, even though Bernie seems to contradict his nature with his politics, the man also spoke truth.
To My Girls might be a play about four gay friends who go to Palm Springs to spend a weekend. Then again, maturing out of friendships, setting healthy boundaries, and conquering your flaws is, like I said, universal, making this piece for everybody.
I, too, have to add that Britney Spears’ albums Blackout and Circus are pretty stellar, yet the true, underrated star is In the Zone.
To My Girls is currently playing until December 7.
Pay-What-You-Will & Industry Night is on Monday, December 1, and Pre-Show Event — Backstage Thursday: Creative Team Happy Hour & Spotlight is Thursday, December 4.
The Stage Manager for this production is Brian Salvanera.
