Robbie (Jeremy Kahn) is colliding with fame rather than experiencing a gentle brush with it. Similar to Robin Thicke and his “Blurred Lines,” Robbie’s catchy “Bad Decision” (written in our world by Max Vernon and Helen Park) is a hit that is being met with charges of plagiarism and backlash for what some perceive as “rapey” lyrics. Unlike Thicke, who brashly defended himself (and was ultimately fined millions of dollars and served with divorce papers), Robbie internalizes every boo from the audience. In deep need of a mental break, he has ditched his upbeat manager, Joe (Reggie D. White), and taken a multi-motivated cab ride to his hometown of Pottsville. His return engagement begins with his devoted music teacher, Mrs. C. (Anne Darragh), who shares headlines from the nearly 12 years since he moved to the west coast. He is her success story and she serves as a surprisingly insightful mother figure. She also has an adopted daughter, Tina (Monica Ho), who was once Robbie’s best friend with ambitious dreams of her own. But Joe has visions of sold-out tours and five album deals and won’t leave his star act alone with his memories for long.
Lauren Yee’s The Song of the Summer —a romantic comedy with music — is certainly lighter than her breakthrough Cambodian Rock Band and might better fit this moment when audience members are trepidatiously returning to theaters. Robbie and Tina have the lively chemistry of many odd couples. Robbie’s meandering decision-making is sheathed in luck while Tina’s more directed path has taken many unplanned hairpin turns. Kahn in particular is a believably awkward and loving teen in flashbacks. But though the playwright reveals the roots of Robbie’s self criticism and esteem issues, she only gives us the briefest whiff of his potential to climb out of the pit and blossom. It’s a frustratingly thin resolution to Robbie’s genuine problems and our mostly enjoyable 90 minutes with him.
Director Bill English employs his usual skill in developing all of the relationships. Quieter connections are never overshadowed with comedic business. His scenic design is equally artful in bringing small-town warmth and eccentricity to the visuals. Mrs. C’s worn, skirted furniture fits her as well as her housecoat by costume designer Stephanie Dittbern. And one can practically smell the beer and cigarettes in the tacky karaoke bar. Projections by Teddy Hulsker slowly snap into place, filling out the setting. The exception is a distracting and seemingly unnecessary hobo bag that constrains Tina’s movement in the critical final scenes.
San Francisco Playhouse is thoughtfully offering this work On Demand as well as a live performance. However, after serving up several beautifully filmed productions, this is delivered as a back-of-the-house live stream. Whatever benefit is gained from the sense of immediacy is greatly offset by jerky camera work and flawed audio that loses many of Ms. Ho’s more intimate lines.
The Song of the Summer is a good natured if slight diversion. In-person performances at 450 Post Street in San Francisco have reduced audience capacity and safety protocols in place. The on-demand video stream will be available throughout the run which ends on August 14, 2021. Tickets for either version begin at $15 and can be purchased at https://www.sfplayhouse.org/sfph/2020-2021-season/the-song-of-summer/.
