Skintight

Skintight

Roundabout Theatre Company

Laura Pels Theatre

June 2, 2018

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Joshua Harmon’s new play, Skintight, is currently being produced by Roundabout Theatre Company.  The play makes profound statements about beauty, aging, and acceptance.  The characters are uniquely drawn and skillfully developed.  By creating characters in a wide range of ages, Mr. Harmon is able to present multiple points of view on his theme.  Director Daniel Aukin finds the rhythm of each character and uses the variations to build the conflict in the story.

Idina Menzel & Eli Gelb in rehearsal
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Jodi (played by Idina Menzel) makes a surprise visit to her world famous fashion designer father, Elliot Isaac (played by Jack Wetherall), on his seventieth birthday.  She knows her father does not like surprises, but she is in need of quality family time because her ex-husband just became engaged to a twenty year old.  She proclaims her disgust in his obsession over youth and beauty.  She then meets her father’s twenty year old boyfriend, Trey (played by Will Brittain).  The conflict rises when Jodi’s twenty year old son, Benjamin (played by Eli Gelb) arrives.  At first his spoiled, privileged attitude puts everyone on edge, until his attraction toward Trey creates a bigger problem.

The character of Elliot Isaac has a beautifully written monologue near the end of Act II that speaks of love and his attraction to Trey.  Jack Wetherall openly delivers it with sincerity and heart.  Idina Menzel portrays his daughter Jodi’s unacceptance of this explanation of “love” with powerful passive resistance.  She calls it “lust” and speaks of seeking the deeper joys in life.  Her character’s inability to accept her own aging is clearly reflected in her distaste for her father’s choices.

The Director, Cast, & Playwright of Skintight
Photo by Walter McBride
Courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Will Brittain plays Trey as a man comfortable in his own skin.  This is beautifully juxtaposed by Eli Gelb’s portrayal of Benjamin’s awkward self-consciousness.  These two actors build the multilayers of their characters through Mr. Harmon’s well-crafted dialogue, revealing their intention and desires.  Act I ends with a cliff hanger as these two actors create a true moment of connectedness that is interrupted by the character of Elliot Isaac.

The split level set by Lauren Helpern is elegantly designed.  It illustrates the heightened sense of style on which the main character built his empire.  It also enhances the theme of the power in the attraction to beauty.  Jess Goldstein further carries this ideal in her costumes, which magnificently complement the color and line of the set.

Skintight is playing at the Laura Pels Theatre through August 26.  The writing is excellent.  The characters are intriguing.  The themes are clear, bold, and relevant.

Domenick Danza