FOR WANT OF A HORSE AT THE ECHO

By Sheehan

"The perils of empathy.."

Polyamorous? What's good for the goose in Hungary? Zoophilia?? Gene and Roy are spinning.

Olivia Dufault's FOR WANT OF A HORSE, currently at the Echo gives a whole new meaning to "Back in the Saddle Again."

Trigger and Champion are equine heroes that I grew up with and loved as the loyal mounts of their respective cowboy pals, Roy and Gene. Heroes with Heroic mounts. Buttermilk was steadfast for Dale Evans.Horse companions. Good Steeds.

FOR WANT OF A HORSE is recommended for 'adult' audiences. It's a choppy cinematic diversion with an excellent cast, including a horse named Q-Tip played beautifully by Griffin Kelly, who may slightly resemble the playwright. Q-Tip is a filly who addresses the audience so that we can hear her equine thoughts. Apples are an aphrodesiac.

Calvin and Bonnie (Joey Stromberg and Jenny Soo) are a hip young married couple with whom an 'interesting' idea comes to light. . Calvin, prompted by his quirky pal, PJ (Steven Culp), ambles into discussons of... well.. animals as lovers. What about those few of us who grow into deep attachements to our furry friends? Here in hangs the tail.

Director Elana Luo's staging executes short scenes from Calvin and Bonnie's bedroom to stables and other locations with Alex Mollo's flexible set pieces. Matthew Richter's lights and some interstitial music keep things flowing.

I so appreciate that Chris Fields and the Echo take huge leaps of faith to showcase theatre that not only pushes the envelope, but in this case obliterates it. Excellent chops by each of the actors. The script is laced with now common expletives heard in casual chats where ever folks are chatting.

What is perverse? This is a question for the ages as we see the land we live in twisted like a pretzel by you know who and we know why.. Thus... The story of a love triangle : Q-Tip, Calvin and Bonnie may not be so far fetched. Daily, life becomes stranger and stranger.

Do I rrecommend that you see this play? The playwright says that she first learned of including animals in intimate relationships frm an article in New York Magazine ten years ago. Over time she wrestled the idea into an oddly interesting premise that pays off in.. well in a way.. in apples. Yes! Yes, I do.. Find the nuances. Consider an odd idea?

This was my first pass at this review. The other review is just different. Here I feel the need to carry on a bit and include cultural references that might ring a bell with some readers. As I often say.. this show deserves an audience, but the caveat is that it's fraught with adult themes. and apples. Bring apples.

FOR WANT OF A HORSE

A WORLD PREMIERE

Written by Olivia Dufault
Directed by Elana Luo

LIGHTING DESIGN Matthew Richter
SCENIC DESIGN Alex Mollo

COSTUME DESIGN Leah Morrison
PUBLICITY Lucy Pollak
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER Bianca Rickheim
SOUND DESIGN Alysha Bermudez

PRODUCED by Marie Bland and Chris Fields
DIRECTED by Alana Luo

• Starring Steven Culp, Griffin Kelly, Jenny Soo, Joey Stromberg
• Presented by The Echo Theater Company, Chris Fields artistic director


WHEN: April 15-May 25
• Previews: Wednesday, April 15, Thursday, April 16 and Friday, April 17 at 8 p.m.
• Performances: April 18 through May 25, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at 8 p.m. / Sundays at 4 p.m.


WHERE: Echo Theater Company, Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039

PARKING: FREE in the Atwater Crossing (AXT) lot one block south of the theater


TICKET PRICES: $15 – $42.75
• Pay–What–You–Want starting at $15 cash at the door plus an additional $1.50 per ticket fee if purchasing online or at the door with a credit card.
• Early Bird tickets to Friday, Saturday or Sunday performances through April 3 (available online only): $20 plus a $1.75 credit card fee.
• Tickets to Friday, Saturday or Sunday performances purchased after April 3: $40 cash with an additional $2.75 fee per ticket if using a credit card.

CONTENT WARNING: For Want of a Horse addresses mature sexual themes in an explicit (although non-graphic) manner and is recommended for ages 18 and up.

HOW: EchoTheaterCompany.com (747) 350-8066