The #MeToo movement has primarily focused on the inappropriate behavior of men towards women. Though people like Kevin Spacey and Bryan Singer have found themselves facing serious allegations, there has been significantly less attention on inappropriate behavior from men towards other men. Playwright Erik Patterson explores the idea of boundaries in his new dark comedy entitled Handjob. The play has its world premiere when it officially opens on Saturday in this production from the Echo Theatre Company at the Atwater Village Theatre.
In Handjob, a young man is hired by a gay writer to be his shirtless cleaner. Problems of homophobia, racism and a lead character who consistently makes all the wrong choices, make Patterson’s play thoroughly topical. Interestingly Patterson was inspired to write the play after hiring just such a cleaner.
In the press release for the show, Patterson says, “The play poses difficult questions. In art and life, how far is too far? What taboos still exist? How can we make a moment of intimacy even more bare, to find the emotional nakedness beneath the literal nudity? What’s the artist’s responsibility when it comes to representation?”
Chris Fields, who directed Patterson’s One of the Nice Ones, directs again here. The cast features Steven Culp, Tamarra Graham, Stephen Guarino, Ryan Nealy and Michael Rishawn.
This is strong material with male nudity. As a result, this is a play for adults.
Handjob will continue at the Atwater Village Theatre through October 28th.
For tickets go here.
Photo of Stephen Guarino and Ryan Nealy in Handjob by Darrett Sanders
Update: This post has been updated to include the extension of the play’s run.