Theater review: ‘A.K.A. Eat the Runt’ @ Hudson Guild Theatre

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The only good critic is a dead one: Readers who agree with that sentiment should make a pilgrimage to “A.K.A.: Eat the Runt,” Robert Riechel Jr.’s trashy but entertaining revenge fantasy now at the Hudson Guild Theatre.

Armed with a cucumber and a wounded ego, Lone (Riechel) kidnaps Thatcher (Peter Leake), a critic underwhelmed by Lone’s recent dramatic effort, “Jesus Was an Alien Too.” Dragging his duct-taped victim back to a shabby Fresno pad, Lone displays the prey to his girlfriend (Victoria Engelmayer) as an aphrodisiac. It works, but then this chick would be aroused by the back of a cereal box.

Stories with a guy tied up by an outlaw couple tend to head in familiar directions, and “Runt” is no exception: alliances shift, substance abuse leads to bonding, partial nudity and gunplay. Riechel rides the pure sensation of his premise without really developing it: The play has a visceral kick but not much on its mind.

As Lone, Riechel thrashes around with thick-skulled passion, and the micro-miniskirted Engelmayer relishes playing a dim bulb. Leake gets the best role as a man having the worst and best night of his life. The three create a mini-mosh pit of flesh and need, amped by Matt Richter’s jittery sound and light design. The play ends at least two scenes too early, abruptly resolving what might have been a deliciously unstable triangle. Still, a guilty pleasure.

P.S. If this reviewer fails to appear in print next week, look for me in a seedy Fresno basement.

--Charlotte Stoudt

“A.K.A.: Eat the Runt,” Hudson Guild Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Dark Dec. 25-Jan. 3. Ends Jan 31. $25. (323) 960-7721. Running time: 1 hour, 15 minutes.

Caption: From left, Peter Leake, Victoria Engelmayer and Robert Riechel. Credit: Conan Moats

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