Buddies, by the ever-inventive Ben Abbott, addresses the much-talked about but seldom tackled dilemma that married men have finding “bros” to bond with, creating an epidemic of emotionally isolated males. In this world premiere, David (Sean Dube) spends his wife’s book club meeting-time watching football with the rest of the disenfranchised husbands. They may share beers but little else during the length of a winning (or losing) game waiting for their wives to collect them at the end of the book-clatch.
But everything changes when David’s sister-in-law, Kelsey (Melanie Uba), brings over her new flame, Adam (Jason Owsley,) and the two hit it off right away. They have so much in common, and football is not one of their favorites. But needlepoint is (?). By this point you may have guessed Buddies is not your standard dramedy. Instead, playwright Abbot has combined his classical training in direct address (Shakespeare) along with punchline comedy to create a uniquely conceived play without players, and where, among other complaints, “Kelsey is not the villain” (You’ll have to see it to get the joke).
Wife Julia (Alyssa Klein) is an excellent foil to David’s ruminative nature, while his football-watching pals, Jake (Tim Trobec) and Billy (Jon Paul Burkhart), are hilarious when trying to let their empathetic sides emerge, as Jake’s wife, Erica (Morgan Benson), tries to navigate it all.
Director Morris Schorr makes the most of the small yet colorful living room setting, illuminated by Selena Prices simple lighting. The entire production emphasizes that the play’s the thing; and the tight ensemble makes it a joy.
Be sure to catch Skypilot’s premiere production of Buddies, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. (except Easter) through May 4th at the 905 Cole Theatre located at … Surprise! 905 Cole Ave., Hollywood, CA 90038. For tickets ($40), go to: www.onstage411.com/Buddies.
