‘Masseur’ Needs Some Massaging

Before he died two years ago, Robert Joseph gave Bill Poore his unfinished script for “The Masseur,” asking Poore to complete and direct this story about coming to terms with one’s sexuality.

In its current incarnation at Highways, this promising, well-acted play about a sexually confused, uptight businessman and his growing attraction to a masseur leaves you feeling doubly unsatisfied--once because of the too-pat ending and again because you’re bound to want a two-hour massage yourself.

The feeling of restless discomfort is certainly there. The hard chairs at Highways coupled with the growing sense of leonine physical threat between the tanned, muscle-bound businessman, Towers (Rory Baker), and the slight, more soft-bodied masseur, Thomas (Matt Caffoni), amplify Joseph and Poore’s theme of being uncomfortable in one’s skin. And skin is something the audience gets to see a lot of.

Tower is an embarrassed first-time customer--laughably awkward about displaying a body he is also justifiably proud of. Thomas is a sensitive, consummate professional who delicately attempts to put his new client at ease.

Yet as Tower’s confidence increases, he reveals an air of predatory domination. He bullies and prods the wary Thomas to take off articles of clothing. The massage sessions become a sinisterly slow game of strip poker.

In the final moments, this sinuous sexual dance transforms into a pop-psychology sermon with Thomas as the sagacious been-there, done-that survivor employing New Age think and street smarts.

As director, Poore sets up a languorous rhythm that is ultimately defeated by the abrupt ending. Baker convincingly metamorphoses from a charmingly shy customer to a blustering menace. Caffoni must be at first the confident professional, become the furtive prey, then suddenly drop all nervous fear to be a soothsayer. He performs the first two sweetly, but can’t work out the knots in the script’s ending. That would take more than a two-hour massage.

BE THERE

The Masseur, Highways, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica. Thursdays-Sundays, 8:30 p.m. Dark Sunday. Ends Aug. 2. $16-$20. (323) 660-8587. Running time: 1 hour 55 minutes.