Spike Heels
By the looks of Theresa Rebek’s muscular play, Spike Heels, not much has changed for 20-somethings in certain areas of modern romance. First produced in 1992 at New York’s Second Stage Theatre starring Kevin Bacon, Spike Heels is essentially a “Friends” knock-off where four young professionals play revolving star-crossed lovers in a very funny, fast paced and clever la ronde. As you might imagine, they are all portrayed as slick-talking and self-assured –- all but one, that is. That one is Georgie (Vanessa Parise); a girl from the wrong side of the “T” who makes up for her inferiority by wearing flashy clothes and impossibly high heels.
At rise, Georgie is hopelessly in love with Andrew (Jeff Roop) a writer presently blocked from writing his first book. He got her a job working for HIS friend, Edward (Robin Dunne), a playboy who seems to make a play for Georgie whenever she shows up for work. Andrew, in turn, is engaged to a mostly off-stage Lydia (Katie Walder), of a Boston Brahmin family. The fun is in watching how each character twists out perceived relationships, slipping effortlessly into new configurations.
Harbinger Theater Company, comprised of the actors involved, is responsible for this assured and lively rendition of the play. Expertly helmed by director Stan Zimmerman, the players have fun with themselves and the situation, never slackening in the pell-mell pace of the piece. Vanessa Parisse’s loudmouth Georgie can be suitably irritating, but shows nuances in more vulnerable moments. Jeff Roop makes the most of a Harvard slouch for a complete “ineffectual intellectual” effect. Robin Dunne as Edward manages his transition from sleeze to sincerity quite nicely. But the treat of the evening comes from Katie Walder as Lydia. Her second act appearance, anticipated from the first act, gets paid-off in an hilarious, awkward dance in Georgie’s apartment. It is a moment that shouldn’t be missed.
Since this play is representative of Theresa Rebeck’s earliest playwriting, the action moves through a succession of “two-handers” tailor-made for scene study. One builds upon another effectively, but if there is any quarrel with Spike Heels, it is the denouement, an less-than-satisfying wrap up that finds all the musical chairs filled, but with Rebeck pulling her punches, leaving us with a “love the one you’re with” ending.
Still, Dove Hartley’s smart setting and dressing, the great distressed furniture and Pier One Chic, makes it all worth it. Kevin King’s costumes are sometimes over the top, but we might well ask where he got those 10 inch heels! Lighting (by Rob Corn) is clean-lined, essential and unobtrusive.
Spike Heels runs Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. through this weekend only at the Actors Circle Theater, 7313 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood 9004. Make reservations online at www.plays411.com.