Trevor is in big trouble. Any 13-year-old is at risk of pariahhood, of course. Pubescence is cruel. But with his jazz-hands dance moves, gym-class cluelessness, fey mannerisms, and full-out idolatry of Diana Ross, Trevor’s got FRESH VICTIM written all over him. What’s more, it’s 1981: nobody’s giving anti-bullying seminars or gender diversity workshops. Kids at mythical suburban Lakeview Junior High have only two categories available to them: normal and weird. And weird is lonely. On the advice of the Diana in his head, Trevor attempts to negotiate the caste system on his own terms.
Our hero is already flirting with an amorphous sort of alienation when we first meet him, knowing only that (a) he doesn’t fit in with his TV-mesmerized parents and (b) the way forward is to emulate Diana and fulfill his “golden dream”—which is to say, become a major pop star. We get to (c) very soon thereafter, when, hanging out with best pal Walter, Trevor finds he isn’t aroused by the women in an underwear catalog. It’s the men’s page at the back that he can’t stop looking at.
Through 8/9: Wed-Fri 7:30 PM, Sat 3 and 7 PM, Sun 2 and 6 PM (2 PM only 9/3 and 9/10); also Wed 8/30 and 9/6, 2 PM Writers Theatre 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe 847-242-6000writerstheatre.org $60-$80
