How are you going to resist the snarky title? Because it occurs, “Nobody Loves You,” American Conservatory Theater’s newest mainstage manufacturing, refers back to the play’s central conceit: a TV actuality relationship present through which contestants are consecutively fired till just a few survivors stay.
Though the musical comedy is by Itamar Moses (ebook and lyrics) and Gaby Alter (music and lyrics), buddies from their Berkeley Excessive College days, and has been staged elsewhere for greater than a decade, it lastly arrives right here, its inherent guarantees of wit and Itasatire totally fulfilled.
It’s actually a testomony to the magic of an excellent collaboration between creators.
L-R, Jason Veasey and Ashley D. Kelley (in two roles) shine in “Nobody Loves You.” Kevin Berne/American Conservatory Theater through Bay Metropolis Information)
Jeff (A.J. Holmes as a shambling, likeable egghead) scoffs on the cookie-cutter actuality present to which his sweetheart (Ashley D. Kelley, who aces two roles) is addicted. A philosophy grad scholar, Jeff is upset when the girlfriend leaves him to audition for the present. She believes she’ll be matched up with somebody with whom she’s extra suitable.
Decided to comply with her to the studio and win her again, Jeff inadvertently finally ends up as a contestant himself. (It’s not as foolish a plot system because it initially appears.)
As soon as there (however his girlfriend just isn’t), Jeff realizes he’s discovered the proper topic for his dissertation: He’ll reveal, from the within, the soul-destroying manipulations of actuality relationship reveals. “There’s so much to hate!” he sings joyfully.
He doesn’t cut price for the complexities concerned. Nor will we, the viewers. This can be a satire with enamel.
It’s a manufacturing that dazzles on each stage. Colours are saturated, not simply the eccentric, patterned costumes of the present contestants by designer Sarita Fellows, however the surroundings, too. Partitions and panels glow in various shades of magenta, orange sorbet, raspberry and extra. The superb lighting design is by Russell H. Champa.
Molly Hager and Seth Hanson are humorous in American Conservatory Theater’s “Nobody Loves You” onstage by way of March 30. (Kevin Berne/American Conservatory Theater through Bay Metropolis Information)
The present’s host (an unctuous, velvety-smooth Jason Veasey, a terrific singer) wears fits that shimmer and sparkle. Confetti rains down on the viewers.
Pretty early on, two of the chosen contestants (Molly Hager because the blond, seductive Megan and Seth Hanson as Christian, the buttoned-up, devoutly non secular virgin) cavort in a scorching tub. “Come on in,” croons the alcoholic and very sexy Megan, and from that time on, the laughs by no means cease.
Ana Yi Puig as the extraordinary Samantha and John-Michael Lyles as a very slow-witted however hyperactive contestant, plus Kuhoo Verma as an ambivalent worker, spherical out a solid of actors who, underneath ACT inventive director Pam MacKinnon, go so far as it appears humanly potential to take a personality. They’re so ingenious, have such excellent comedian timing, and are gifted with such witty dialogue; the present simply retains getting funnier.
L-R, John-Michael Lyles and Kuhoo Verma are among the many glorious ensemble in American Conservatory Theater’s “Nobody Loves You.” (Kevin Berne/American Conservatory Theater through Bay Metropolis Information)
The songs, accompanied by a stay band, and choreography (by Steph Paul), additionally appear to get funnier because the present continues, with a couple of extra soulful tunes added as Jeff will get more and more enmeshed in—properly, you’ll see.
You may want the musical had been longer than its crisp 100 minutes.
American Conservatory Theater’s “Nobody Loves You” runs by way of March 30 at ACT’s Toni Rembe Theater, 415 Geary St., San Francisco. Tickets are $25 to $130 at act-sf.org.
