They really made an attractive couple on their blind date. However, by the second date, it was obvious to her there were definitely no sparks. Yet he was persistent, and at some point he went over the line in Rebecca Gilman's demanding drama, Boy Gets Girl. Tony's determination started with phone calls, then flowers, and, finally, a way over-the-line threat, as Boy Gets Girl moves from bad date to stalking. For example, Theresa Bedell (Kelly Lapczynski) took the usual precautions, but slick-talking Tony (Christopher T. Miller) conned her secretary, Harriet (Alyssa Levine), into giving him Theresa's home phone number.
Finally, Theresa gets a restraining order against offender Tony, but by now she fears all men. She attacks her male co-workers, Howard Siegel (Rett Becker) and Mercer Stevens (Orrick Smith), even as they try to help her. Secretary Harriet (Alyssa Levine), who can be a bit ditzy at times, is victim of her tension. New York police officer Madeleine Beck (Debbie Britt-Hay) provides Theresa with a plan for dealing with stalker Tony. Britt-Hay's matter-of-fact police officer, who has too many stalker cases, offers a chillingly realistic assessment of the situation. As the case deepens and fears heighten, it becomes apparent that there may be only one resolution.
This production should be mandatory viewing for all women who are dating. At the very most, provide only a cell phone number, no home or office information, use separate vehicles, daylight date only, and much more.
Playwright Rebecca Gilman writes an almost worst-case scenario tale, though her script could have been tightened up, further increasing the tension, and eliminating a couple of false clues. Fortunately, she does offer the audience a bit of relief in the guise of aging filmmaker, Les Kennkat (Les Payne). Theresa interviews the old roue. Their second-act meeting is a wonderful counterpoint to the heightened emotions of the production.
Director Jeff Gastauer has done an excellent job of creating the overall tension between the characters. His cast is convincing as their relationships rise and fall during the several months of the play. The set design created by the director and producer Colbourn provides adequate venues for the multi-location play. The set dressing by Sabato Fiorello and Sherrie Colbourn works well, too. Fiorello and Rosemary King provides the scenic artistry. Juli Stewart and Paul Erickson were tasked with lighting the many areas, with good results. Costumes, under Lynn Walker's direction, help define the various roles.
Boy Gets Girl is no walk in the park. It is profane and, at times, hard to watch. However, it is important to feel what a woman goes through when she becomes a victim of a stalker. Lapczynski shows us the pain, and the supporting cast show us what to expect if one of our own is ever stalked.
