Review: ‘Stitching’ at the Lillian Theater

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One room, two actors, strong premise: a couple deciding what to do about an unexpected pregnancy. “Stitching,” now running at the Lillian Theater, tells the story of Stu (John Ventimiglia), who falls for student and part-time prostitute Abby (Meital Dohan). Is their love strong enough to survive parenthood? Or is something else really going on?

This 80-minute adult drama, which attracted some controversy during its New York run, features self-mutilation, sado-masochism and violent fantasizing. But these extremes occur in the context of emotional distress.

The real problem here isn’t the subject matter but rather the execution. Anthony Neilson has something compelling to say about the dark helix of intimacy and self-loathing, but it’s not fully expressed yet. Director Timothy Haskell draws out the piece with transitions featuring moody string music, which diminishes the tension required to sustain Neilson’s nervy, minimalist style. (The affecting score, which would work better in a classical play, is by Daron Murphy.)

The highlight of the evening is Dohan: droll and ferocious, she prowls the stage like a Fassbinder diva, and her negotiations for sexual services are among the funnier moments. Ventimiglia is temperamentally a lighter actor — his is the comedy of apology — and his energy doesn’t entirely suit the demands of the play.

In the end, “Stitching” can’t quite weave together its elements of eroticism, grief and narrative twists into a satisfying evening.

-- Charlotte Stoudt

“Stitching,” Lillian Theater, 1076 Lillian Way, Hollywood. 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday. Ends April 5. $25. (323) 962-7782. Running time: 80 minutes.

Related: Anthony Neilson keeps to the dark side in ‘Stitching’