Left Edge Theater has a habit of pushing boundaries to their breaking point, pinning them in place, taking two steps back and grabbing a pole vault. Bootycandy, now playing at The California in Santa Rosa through Nov. 23, may not be the farthest they’ve ever jumped, but it’s certainly close.
Bootycandy, by Robert O’Hara (directed by Serena Elize Flores), is a theatrically meta look inside the brain of a playwright. Nominally about Sutter (Tajai Britten), a young, Black, gay playwright, as he grows from an inquisitive boy to a man grappling with race, sex, power and belonging, this isn’t a neat linear play. Reminiscent of David Ives’ All in the Timing—with more sex, nudity and swearing than a traditional coming of age play—like most Left Edge productions, it’s not for pearl clutchers or traditionalists.
Sutter’s meta-universe also features four other actors in various roles, including a very progressive pastor (Jonathen Blue), a confused mediator (Dana Hunt) and two lesbians untying the knot (Lexus Fletcher, Shanay Howell). Blue, Hunt, Fletcher and Howell also rotate through various other roles in Sutter’s life.
The supporting cast is outstanding. Fletcher is consistently excellent, proving yet again that she’s one of the strongest young actors in our community. Hunt is a revelation. His vulnerability onstage, especially when playing Sutter’s best friend, makes a scene written to be uncomfortable feel human. Howell’s enthusiasm brings a nice jolt of energy, and Blue is chameleon-like in their ability to change into various characters.
That being said, there were definitely scenes that started at 11, leaving nowhere to go, and moments where character crossed into caricature. However, in a play like this, where the only approach is head-on and full steam ahead, those things are to be expected and demonstrate that the actors willingly take big risks—a sign of good actors.
If the other actors weren’t so good, if Flores had not given us a sharply directed show, with her usual flair for good costuming and the perfect dose of attitude, then Britten’s detachment from the world of the play wouldn’t have been as noticeable. While that detachment may be a character choice, it prevents him from uncovering Sutter’s vulnerability, making it difficult to sympathize with the protagonist.
Overall, if one likes their theater shocking, thought-provoking and with a healthy dose of “What in the h— did I just watch?”, Bootycandy’s for them.
Left Edge Theatre’s ‘Bootycandy’ runs through Nov. 23 at The California Theatre. 528 7th St., Santa Rosa. Wed–Sat, 7:30pm; Sat & Sun, 1pm. $22–$44. 707.664.7529. leftedgetheatre.com.
