‘Girlfriend’ at Signature: a tale of personal discovery with songs by Matthew Sweet

Lukas James Miller (standing) and Jimmy Mavrikes in “Girlfriend.” [Christopher Mueller]

“Girlfriend,” currently appearing at Signature Theatre in Shirlington, is a sensitively constructed and gracefully performed coming-of-age musical about two late teen boys having an unexpected first crush that turns into love between them.

The arc of this production is the journey of the two young men, from a cautious summertime platonic friendship, to explorations of tentative feelings and finally to love. It is truly a tale of personal discovery and bravery.

Under the refined, empathetic direction of Signature Theatre’s Matthew Gardiner, Signature newcomers Jimmy Mavrikes and Lukas James Miller are staggering in the ability to make their characters real, without artifice or artificiality. The two become our sons, our friends, our loved ones. As a parent or friend, we want to see them thrive and protect them from meanness and brutality as best we can, even as catcalls of “faggots” spit out from a passing car.

“Girlfriend” employs musical numbers from Matthew Sweet’s 1991 album “Girlfriend” as its rock-laded fuel. The 10 musical numbers are warm and attentive in the manner in which they illuminate the blossoming relationship between the two young men.

The songs become a secret diary the young men keep between themselves; others do not have the key or the right to unlock. Todd Almond’s book is the sub-structure that holds the production together as musical theater, rather than a jukebox-type presentation.

Almond’s book is striking for the spoken dialogue that is such a significant part of “Girlfriend.” It also provides opportunities for Mavrikes and Miller to showcase their acting talents, especially in scenes of pensive stillness or active confusion – or simply in the moving of a hand or the ache someone can feel for another human being.

Girlfriend is fresh and honest in the manner in which songs composed by Sweet are used to illuminate the blossoming relationship between high school jock with a girlfriend Mike (played by Miller) and the shy, unsure Will (portrayed by Mavrikes). “I wanna love somebody. I hear you need somebody to love” is one lyric put to good use. If the protean Cole Porter was still alive, he would applaud how songs are used for enlightened purposes.

Over 90 intermission-free minutes, what began as an unexpected meet-up of teens seeking a good friend for the summer after high school graduation provides ample opportunities for tenderness and confusion as the two young men piece together what they want while feeling safe in their discoveries and choices. The production is set in a time when cordless phones and actual conversations were methods of contact.

A big shout out to the smoking band composed of Britt Bonney (keyboard and conductor), Beth Cannon (guitar), Nicole Saphos (bass), and splendid drummer Erika Johnson. Johnson was a marvel as I watched her with her sticks setting the percussive rhythm for the show. It’s a neat touch to have the band visible at times and invisible at others. They, like the seated audience, became active onlookers and supports to Will and Mike.

Signature Theatre’s production of “Girlfriend” deserves the widest possible audience. The show captures love in all its marvelous wonders and bumps The cast that understands that relationships start with dreams and attempts to reach out.

Where and when: “Girlfriend” plays through June 10 at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Shows are daily, except Mondays. Purchase tickets online or call the box office, 703-820-9771.

This article is based on a review that appeared in DC Metro Theater Arts.