Levi Kreis is book, music and lyrics writer for Already Perfect, which opened tonight at the King’s Head Theatre. He also plays the central role of ‘Levi’ in this semi-autobiographical story.
Such an arrangement could lead to a very insular and personal show, and in some ways this musical feels very much as if it might crumble with a different star.
Levi is in his dressing room, despondent. It’s been an awful matinee at his current show. He’s at a crucial point, drug pipe in hand, when his sponsor, Ben (Yiftach ‘Iffy’ Mizrahi), arrives.
A sprinkle of theatrical magic and the band, the audience, and an unexpected visitor, Matthew (Killian Thomas Lefevre) bring back moments in Levi’s earlier life, acted out by the three men.
Levi (or Matthew, as the young man is his previous self) is growing up gay in a deeply Christian family, with the pressure of religion and eventually, conversion therapy.
His gift for music extends to a planned gospel career, then takes a turn into theatre and a Tony Award, although his dressing room still boasts a piano – which was briefly temperamental on press night.
The songs are what lifts Already Perfect. It could easily be a song cycle without the linking material, some of which lands a little awkwardly. The music, largely Southern-soul inspired, is toe-tapping enough, but the 100 minute runtime feels indulgent.
There’s a cracking show in here with lots of ideas teased out by director Dave Solomon. Music supervisor and orchestrator Matthew Antonio Perri and band are atop the stage. Walkways are utilised for dramatic effect.
Jason Ardizzone-West’s set moves from grimy backstage walls to the Hollywood backdrop in which Levi adopts a lucrative but ‘deviant’ career. There’s a literal closet of clothes and Bibles that fall on cue.
This show may well resonate with the older gay men with mention of Levi’s AIDS status, however, once mentioned in passing this is not addressed again. Perhaps it isn’t necessary.
The show’s title number would make a great ending point but Kreis and Solomon let matters run a few minutes longer. This marked it down a bit for me as it felt as if Matthew/Levi had reached a natural stop in their story.
Already Perfect has some deeply emotional moments, particularly relating to Levi’s discovery of letters from his adored grandfather after his death. Mother, priest, counsellor, supplier, ‘brothers in Christ’: all are characters in the story.
In view of the USA’s Christian fundamentalism and distain for LGBTQIA+ people, Already Perfect still has relevance. Would it were not so.
I’m giving this ***.5.
Already Perfect is at King’s Head Theatre until 15 Feb – tickets here.
Photo credit: Pamela Raith