REVIEW: 'Innocents' raises questions of trust at Asolo Rep

Steven Drukman’s romantic drama “The Innocents” works like a mystery, raising questions, making you feel safe and then gently socking you again with a growing intensity.

In its world premiere at the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Drukman offers a sharp and penetrating look at relationships, trust and innocence that could be masking fear or a desire for the unknown.

Kate Hampton, left, and Jud Williford in a scene from the world premiere of Steven Drukman's play "The Innocents" at Asolo Repertory Theatre. FRANK ATURA PHOTO/ ASOLO REPERTORY THEATERE

In the intimate Cook Theatre, the play features a strong ensemble of four actors working with director Anders Cato in a finely tuned production that keeps you involved until the tender finale.

The play is about the relationship between Daniel and Edie, a gay man and his best female friend. He is a corporate trainer and she is a Berkeley anthropology professor. By all rights they are a couple, aside from whatever sexual activity they pursue on the side.

They are trying to have a baby together, but their dreams are altered with the arrival of two attractive young men who begin to challenge the way look at themselves and one another. The innocence of their relationship and the trust they have in one another is suddenly questioned.

When Daniel meets Liron, an Israeli, at the airport, the expected one-night stand turns into Daniel’s first lasting gay relationship, though not quite the way he expects. At the same time, Edie begins to date a student named Sutter who needs her support to stay in school.

There is a surface element to the relationships that appears strong, but Drukman offers suggestions about the two young men that makes you question their intentions. Are they playing Daniel and Edie and what are their ulterior motives? Or are we only supposed to think that way because of our own trust issues?

The action takes place mostly on the attractive San Francisco apartment set designed by Lee Savage and nicely lit by Tyler Micoleau. It is surrounded by floor to rafters panels of renderings of town homes in the city. Cato also throws in some clever tricks, like bedroom scenes that are performed upright but as if the characters are lying down. Amy J. Cianci's costumes have a contemporary casual style.

Drukman’s script is tighter and the characters are more focused since the Asolo Rep presented a reading last year as part of its Unplugged series.

Jason Bradley, left, and Scott Kerns in a scene from the world premiere of Steven Drukman's play "The Innocents." FRANK ATURA / ASOLO REP

Those characters are also now richer because of the strong cast. Asolo Rep company members Jud Williford as Daniel, Kate Hampton as Edie, Jason Bradley as Sutter and newcomer Scott Kerns as Liron perform in a naturalistic, almost effortless manner.

There is hardly a false moment in the production, which adds potency to a scene where joy mixes with worry or when one character or another momentarily breaks down in tears.

Drukman’s play keeps you on guard. You may be puzzled by some of the twists, but they are designed to keep you treading that thin line between cynicism and trust that is always difficult to cross.

It’s a bold production that may shock some more traditional audience members but which should delight those who are looking for something new.