Broadway Damage

Gay Broadway star wannabes Marc (Michael Shawn Lucas) and Robert (Aaron Williams) and plus-size drama queen Cynthia (Mara Hobel) pull off the impossible, scoring a spacious Greenwich Village two-bedroomer for only $950 a month(!), though once they become roommates their luck doesn't hold up. Robert, who has a secret crush on his old-buddy Marc, is put in a major funk by an up-close look at Marc's revolving-door dating policy. In the meantime, things are no better with Cynthia, whose shopaholic tendencies have (just now?) collided with her yet-to-be-employed financial wherewithal, pushing her deep into debt. Amiable, but paper thin, Broadway Damage has got some witty one-liners and a breezy storybook style, but it's ultimately hampered by writer-director Victor Mignatti's characterizations: he's burdened the likable Marc and Robert with every bad showtune-loving, pecs-obsessed gay cliché in the book. A lot of talent here put to little use, but newcomer Mignatti has some potential if he can just sharpen his pen and steer clear of the stereotypes. Optional. (S. C. Sickles)