Sweet is the best word for GIRLFRIEND for several reasons. First, it showcases the songs of Matthew Sweet, and the book is by Todd Almond, to get another flavor in the mix.

‘Sweet’ also describes the era that GIRLFRIEND is set in – 1990’s: pre-9/11; before cell phones and PDAs; the decade of HAART and hope; and drive-in movies!  This last is crucial in GIRLFRIEND, as Mike and Will spend a considerable amount of time there.

‘Sweet’ is a good descriptor for the cast of two: Joe Lewis as Will, who narrates the story between songs, and Peter Stielstra as Mike, the boy of Will’s dreams who makes those dreams come true. Both actors and characters are totally toothsome. And Matthew Sweet’s songs invoke the bittersweet stage of adolescence, with all the routine adolescent trauma magnified for queers by isolation and too-well seasoned with desolation.

Lewis as Will does a particularly good job of portraying the excruciating emotional turmoil of being eighteen years old and queer.  We all remember the awkwardness and self-consciousness of that age, and the mortification when we say or do the ‘wrong’ thing, particularly when it relates to courting and things carnal. I recall only too well just how urgent and significant everything was. It’s exhausting when every action, every word, is so meaningful! I hate when people tell teens, “These are the best years of your life”.  I tell them “This is the worst time of your life. Once you ‘re into your twenties everything gets much easier.”

Mike’s conflicts are more externalized, worrying about ‘what people think’, especially peers. When Mike spots a carload of teammates while at the drive-in with Will, his furtive response is both hilarious and heartbreaking.

And, oh yeah! GIRLFRIEND is a musical!  Both Lewis and Stielstra have excellent voices, backed by Robert Ollis and Kyra Leigh on keyboard, Berkett Shertok and Bob Potsic on Bass, Cesar Romero and David Kelley on guitar, and Anthony Scandora on drums. Robert Ollis is Music Director and Kiera Battles Sound Design/Engineer.

Jay Espano directs, assisted by Stage Manager Hannah “Blue” Morris; Megan Hoppe is Costume Designer. Isabella Noe (Scenic Design), Kael Meno (Props Design), Maggie Meyer (Lighting), and Magdiel Carmona (Projections) devise a spare set, adroitly constructed to roll out a bedroom at one end, the seat of a car at the other. This design frees most of the space for the performers’ revels, choreographed by Hannah Greenfield (Movement) and Kayla Menz (Intimacy). Production Support Staff include Taylor Pasche (Asst Director),Keira Leigh (Asst Music Director), Megs Flannery (Asst Stage Manager), Isabella Noe (Tech Director) and Emily Blanquera (Master Electrician).

I just have to interject here that when I began reviewing theatre for WBEZ in the 80’s, half of those jobs didn’t exist!

Lewis and Stielstra are both talented vocalists but it was difficult to hear them over the band at times – due to the acoustic challenges of the space, and auditory challenges in the elderly [me!]. However, I do think the sound could use a bit of fine tuning, 

“Sweet” is the word for GIRLFRIEND. It’s cotton candy, light and airy without much substance. It’s flavorsome, but not nourishing.