HAVE A GOOD ONE

I wouldn’t want to oversexualize myself
— Connor says while standing in front of a black and white picture of a shirtless male model

The ’90s are making a comeback, at least in this show they are. It opens with the songs from the Backstreet Boys, “Everybody,” (Backstreet is Back,1997), to the buff trio of Right Said Fred “I’m Too Sexy” (1991) Have a Good One is the latest creation of television writer (“The Golden Girls”)and playwright (“Yes, Virginia,” ”Meet & Greet”) Stan Zimmerman, who also directed, with partner-in-crime and collaborator Christian McLaughlin (“Desperate Housewives,” “Married…With Children”) and author of “Glamourpuss: A Novel” and “Sex Toys of the Gods” (both by Plume) takes the audience back, way back to 1999 the year the late artist Prince said “they say two thousand zero, zero, party over/Oops, out of time/So tonight I’m gonna party like it’s 1999,” back in 1982 the man was a visionary. It also brought the disastrous Y-2K, short for the Year 2000 problem, where computers were supposed to majorly screw over the configuration for the calendar. In regards to fashion, while The Gap was going through a major transition in management, Abercrombie & Fitch seemingly became an overnight sensation.

Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) was founded by David T. Abercrombie in 1892 in Manhattan, New York. Then, it was geared toward other high paying outdoors men. When the 90s came around, the company went through so many stages, even a bankruptcy in 1976, until it found its niche in the 90s, starting as a teen clothing store. Later, comfort clothing was introduced to adults. Think overpriced hoodies and shorts for men, cute and pricey sweater dresses for women and of course, the kids need their swag as well. The whole family looks like they belong on a gigantic, black and white poster, like the one in the show where a fine looking shirtless man with tight abs, looking so fresh and so clean. “Have A Good One” takes place in 1999 at the Penderleigh & Ashe store inside a Midwestern mall. Think of it as A&F’s bastard child. Brand representatives, the employees at P&A, are prepping the store for their opening. Business minded Gretchen (Megan Cournoyer is hysterical) is going places. She has goals to become a district manager and is determined to meet them, Too bad, the people she manages don’t have her drive. There’s self-loving Connor (Tanner Stine drips of witty, sexy sarcasm) who has what you need to feel better or take it down a notch.

He trains newbie Joey (Tom Plumley is fun to watch) a true mama’s boy ready and eager to please. Oscar (Adrian Gamez kills it with fiery wit and charm). The quartet reminds me of the “Seinfeld” show. Everyone gets along, but, they do get on each other’s nerves. Gretchen wishes Connor do more work, Connor aspires in being a P&A model. Oscar is a loving father who sees himself outside of the store. Joey breaks out of his sheltered life and into the real world—with lots of tequila shots at the end of the shift.

Everything takes place in a day. The ending involves many twists that would leave everyone satisfied. If it doesn’t, then your sense of humor needs to be heavily re-charged. Just saying! Funny. Moving. Lesson learned! Excellent. Once again, Zimmerman and McLaughlin strike another hit, telling a well-crafted story with depth, humor and authenticity.

Have a Good One plays Friday the 15th and Saturday the 16th at 8 p.m., and Sunday the 17th at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., at the Dorie Theatre @ The Complex, located at 6474 Santa Monica Blvd, in Los Angeles For ticket information, go to: www.brownpapertickets.com OR www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5225289