Rogue Machine presents the world premiere of The Beautiful People, a play written by Tim Venable and directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos.
A sleepover takes a sinister turn in the basement of a typical American house. The story is set in the 90s, a period where hate, frustration, and a mental health crisis started to take shape and became a pressure cooker ready to explode.
E (Alexander Neher) hosts the sleepover, where he manipulates, humiliates, and comforts an insecure, depressed, and angry D (Justin Preston). Venable’s play is an exploration of where the new wave of violence started and where we are now. The continuous reference to pop icons is an accurate depiction of some of the root causes of the extreme acts of violence committed by some disillusioned youngsters who have no further expectations of a better life. The references to incels and the devastation caused by social rejection also paints a grim picture of the other factors that are building up in the hearts and minds of the new generation of Americans.
Much has been said about gun control, but that alone will not fix the underlying issues of isolation, loneliness, and mental issues experienced in America. The play digs deep into those elements that are pushing a great number of people to the limit. The intricate web of cause and effect is explored in Venable’s writing, where only two characters project the many issues affecting American society at large. The exposition of the characters’ backgrounds and frustrations poses an uncomfortable question that lingers in the air: Have mass shooters failed society, or has society failed them?
The brave performances of Neher and Preston are a testament of the dedication to their craft; Neher is brilliant as the cold bully and Preston is a tour de force as the vulnerable teenager, imploring compassion, but ready to commit great damage. David Mauer (Production Design) does a great job with the set and lighting to represent not only the basement of a house, but also what is happening underneath American society.
The Beautiful People is a pungent and radical play that will get you out of your comfort zone and place you in the character’s world. A world where survival of the fittest is the only way. The topics presented might make the skin crawl, but the play offers an opportunity to start a conversation that could prevent a tragedy that might be around the corner.
The Beautiful People
Written by Tim Venable. Directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos. Starring Alex Neher and Justin Preston. Produced by John Flynn, Rebecca Larsen (A Rogue Machine Production).
Rogue Machine
7657 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90462
For tickets: https://www.roguemachinetheatre.net/
