Review: Already Perfect, King’s Head Theatre

It’s the immediate aftermath of a disastrous matinee of a Broadway show, and Levi (Levi Kreis) tumbles into his dressing room in a fury. He’s received a dumping message from his suddenly former boyfriend, which increases his anger. He’s about to resort to his crystal meth pipe when his addiction sponsor Ben (Yiftach Mizrahi) bursts in to talk him out of it. ‘I have coping skills,’ Levi explains to Ben. ‘I smoke. I’m not a journaling type.’

But Ben reminds him how he used to be the Hollywood Outlaw, who could turn every heartbreak into a song. Ben encourages him to relive his youth through song, which Levi initially rejects: ‘You want me to conjure my inner child into existence, and then strangle him?’. But conjure him he does, in the form of Matthew (Killian Thomas Lefevre), the personification of his younger self.

The autobiographical story takes us from bible-thumping Tennessee through church-sponsored gay conversion therapy and expulsion from his community, to abusive relationships and prostitution, a Tony award and coping with AIDS. Yes, it’s another gay coming-of-age story, but told with wit and energy; it’s at times sentimental, but never maudlin.

Levi – who also wrote the book, music and lyrics – is an accomplished pianist and a charismatic actor, who plays both his mother and his grandfather among many other roles as he and Matthew reconstruct scenes from their youth. Ben adds an evangelical pastor and a suitably smarmy counsellor to the cast of reimagined characters.

Already Perfect is a tortured and emotionally volatile tale, performed with huge enthusiasm and verve by the all-singing, all-dancing (and, it turns out, all piano-playing) cast of three. The musical numbers are backed by Matthew Antonio Perri on keyboard and Tom Sansbury on Bass, with a drum track by Mat Hector. Levi Kreis’s power ballad songs veer in style from Billy Joel to Gospel, and some of the stronger numbers – including a charming piano duet with Matthew – are powerful and engaging.

The ingenious set by Jason Ardizzone-West is a hyper-realistic dressing room, complete with snaking electrical conduits and vintage radiator – and a hidden surprise that expands its scope. Bibles literally fall from the sky, as Ian Scott’s imaginative lighting design switches the mood from scene to scene. Elsewhere Dave Solomon’s direction is taut and at times inspired, with Jennifer Rooney supplying neatly choreographed interactions. 

Already Perfect is hugely entertaining, with powerful songs that complement without swamping the action. Trimmed by ten minutes from its 100 minute length, it would be (almost) perfect.

Book, Music & Lyrics: Levi Kreis
Additional Book: Dave Solomon
Director: Dave Solomon
Music Supervisor/ Keys, Arrangements & Orchestrations: Matthew Antonio Perri
Movement Director: Jennifer Rooney
Scenic Designer: Jason Ardizzone-West
Sound Designer: Jessica Paz
Lighting Designer: Ian Scott

Already Perfect plays at the King’s Head until 15 February.