My overall impression
It wouldn’t be hard for a tale of attending a high school class reunion as the less-accomplished trophy wife of a man who made it big after leaving the campus to turn into into a morass of self-pity and cruelty. But if it did that, it wouldn’t be a Les K story, that is to say an insightful romp of hilarity and compassion that takes no prisoners when examining uncomfortable truths, yet retains a sense of shared humanity.
“Nightmare in Bakersfield” is the latest installment of K’s life with his longtime boyfriend. We last we met the couple during “Christmas in Bakersfield,” when K was off to be introduced to his partner Michael’s conservative family, who didn’t know K was black. Complications ensued.
This time the couple return to Bakersfield for Michael’s 20th year reunion, where everyone in the class is proud that Michael has been named one of the 100 most successful people ever to come out of Bakersfield, but no one in the class was aware that Michael is gay. On top of that, K, who has been working tirelessly to achieve success in his chosen profession, finds himself struggling with jealousy as he begins to wonder if he is, in fact, a failure when compared to Michael. Even more complications ensue.
One of the delights of this storytelling show, besides K’s charm and pitch-perfect delivery, is his nuanced perspective on issues of race, gender and challenging the assumptions we make about each other. No city-boy-meets-country-bumpkins stereotypes are on display in this piece, which is a relief.
“Nightmare in Bakersfield” is a fun time. Go see it, and if you hang out on the patio after to talk with K, you’re sure to make a new friend.
