"Handjob" presented by Echo Theater Company

LOS ANGELES - Aug. 21, 2019 - PRLog -- When a gay writer hires a man to work as a "shirtless cleaner," homophobia, racism and issues of consent bubble to the surface in the world premiere of Handjob, an outrageous comedy by Erik Patterson. Chris Fields directs the Echo Theater Company production, set to open on Sept. 7 for a seven-week run through Oct. 21. Three "pay what you want" previews take place on Sept. 4, Sept. 5 and Sept. 6.

Patterson's comedy explores the deepest sensitivities in our culture — with unexpected and darkly hilarious consequences. The playwright previously collaborated with Fields on the world premiere of One of the Nice Ones, which the Los Angeles Times called "deliciously uncouth… elicits torrents of laughter from the gobsmacked audience." Handjob is guaranteed to leave the audience similarly "gobsmacked" and most likely gasping for breath — due to both shock and laughter. The hilarity is recommended for mature audiences due to graphic adult content, including male nudity.

"This play is constantly changing underneath you, which is enormous fun," says Fields. "But its serious center is the lead character's craving for intimacy. As he searches desperately for connection, he fails in such appalling ways that it makes us laugh. But we also understand his pain even as we're laughing at it." Patterson wanted to write an aggressively queer piece of theater that pushes boundaries — while questioning just where the boundaries should be.

"The play poses difficult questions," he says. "In art and life, how far is too far? What taboos still exist? How can we make a moment of intimacy even more bare, to find the emotional nakedness beneath the literal nudity? What's the artist's responsibility when it comes to representation?"

The heart of Handjob, Patterson explains, is a character who struggles with these questions, but keeps getting it wrong. "His blind spots lead him to create even more complications as he tries to fix the mess he's made of his life. Ultimately, the play is about how important it is to keep asking these tough questions, and to keep trying to get it right."

Handjob opens on Sat, Sept. 7 continuing on Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sun. at 4 p.m.; and Mon. at 8 p.m. through Oct. 21. Tickets $20-$34 and Pay-What-You-Want at the door (subject to availability). Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave in LA, CA 90039. On-site parking is free., Ph: (310) 307-3753 or go to www.EchoTheaterCompany.com