Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
Having someone who cares is a beautiful thing indeed. Trusting and being intimate is a serious issue for Eloise (Ashley Griffin/Playwright), because of being molested by her uncle when she was a child. An existing fear of getting close to someone, experiencing love, care and human touch is out of reach for her, until she breaks through the fact that she is still a virgin and totally terrified of men. She knows she must destroy that wall in front of her and to have a good time and freely wrap her hands around someone, she needs to beat the fear and move past her sexual trauma.
She is asking herself, ‘How much does it take to trust someone to let him hold you, and where are all these magical good guys?’ And ‘Why don’t nice things just stay beautiful? ‘How do you know if you go home with someone, that he’s not going to hurt you?’ Very fair questions for anybody to dwell upon. Being financially stable she hires the professional pleaser for women Will (Evan Strand/co-star) and arranges weekly house calls. The challenge here is – not to fall in love. As a business transaction, Eloise gets what she needs, but Will is left hurt because he allows his emotions in and falls in love. Being a man does not mean being a heavyweight champion and staying detached. While she considers herself to be his meal ticket, he is truly hurt. So, the roles reverse, and he finds himself where she was at the beginning of the play.
One of the interesting things that’s been touched upon is; if a boy experiences being turned on by an experienced woman when he is only 13 years old it is not considered a rape, but a gift? And even though boys have sex with many girls, they never really see the true beauty of a women or vice versa.
There are a few things two actors can do on the stage for over an hour. They can dance, sing, or most common talk and do certain actions. Ashley and Evan bravely embrace every moment of deeply emotional moments and within their originality the intimacy moments are performed with such ease and grace. Ashley’s childish laugh breaks the heaviness of acts and Evan’s pleasant, calm, and gentle actions slowly transform fear into joy.
This Off-Broadway play, The Opposite of Love, is brought to us as West Coast Premiere by Neil Gooding Productions. Director Melora Marshall, as a long-time company member has renowned for her dynamic contributions to the stage, particularly at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga Canyon. Marshall has performed in countless productions over the decades, often taking on gender-bending and unconventional roles that showcase her versatility and depth as an artist.
‘There are a lot of things we don’t talk about when it comes to intimacy,’ says Ashley Griffin. ‘My generation was the first raised after the afterglow of the “free love” movement had faded and given way to a free for all cyber world where dating feels like an audition process and love, in many ways, is a commodity. We need to finally talk about the painful experiences, the dangers, the fears that have become horribly casual and common, in addition to addressing the long-term ramifications of sexual assault and trauma for those of any gender. The Opposite of Love was born out of a desire to hold a mirror up to the issues in romantic relationships we pretend don’t exist or, for some, may not realize exist at all.’
This production will make you think about your own relationship with intimacy, relationship and love. I highly recommend it!
Performances are at Hudson Backstage Theatre, located at 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., LA (at N Hudson Ave), from July 25 – August 31; Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.: July 31; Aug. 7; Aug. 14; Aug. 21; Aug. 28; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.: July 25 (opening night); Aug. 1; Aug. 8; Aug. 15; Aug. 22; Aug. 29; Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.: July 26; Aug. 2; Aug. 9; Aug. 16; Aug. 23; Aug. 30 and Sundays at 4 p.m.: July 27; Aug. 3; Aug. 10; Aug. 17; Aug. 24; Aug. 3.
Tickets range from $29-$45; General Admission: $45, Students and Seniors: $39 (with code #216). To purchase tickets and for more information, go to https://www.onstage411.com/ or The Opposite of Love – Hudson Backstage Theatre – Los Angeles – onstage411.com or call (323) 856-4249. There is street parking and Valet parking for a fee is available on Hudson Avenue.
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