Echo presents “F**king Strangers”

Normally with a play title such as this, I’d remove the asterisks, but F**king Strangers is how it appears in the press release and on the program, so I’m assuming that the official title includes the asterisks. It seems like a title chosen mainly for shock value (although honestly would anybody in the theatre world be shocked by that anymore?), but it doesn’t feel like a completely appropriate one, as the play itself is less about being outrageous and more a drama about some damaged people trying to heal. Erik Patterson’s play is witty if somewhat contrived but ultimately gets to something powerful, and the world premiere production by Echo Theater Company features a quartet of expert and moving performances.

After a traumatic event six years ago left him psychologically unable to leave his bedroom, Ru (Michael Sturgis) connects up online with cam boy Dylan (Sean Luc Rogers). Although there is certainly a strong element of physical attraction, Ru chooses mainly to speak with Dylan about their personal and professional relationships. Mick (James Tupper) is an older man who meets with Dylan to hire him to act out elaborate sexual fantasies but may be developing feelings for him. Julianne (Tasha Ames) is a masseuse who spends most of her time complaining/oversharing about her personal problems while doing her job. All of these people are looking for connection and better lives, but can they find them?

Sturgis is terrific as Ru, awkward and self-deprecating as he bonds with Dylan, but he finds his anger towards the play’s conclusion in a scene that explodes the artifice of the story into something raw and primal. Rogers is charming and amusing as Dylan, who genuinely sees himself as somewhat of a healer. Tupper is very good as Mick, who invests intensely in his fantasies, ordering Dylan around like a director chastising a bad actor. Ames is sympathetic and funny as Julianne, getting great mileage from her masseuse monologues, but she’s even better interacting with the rest of the cast.

Director Chris Fields gets outstanding work from his actors and focuses effectively on serving Patterson’s play. Due to the talents of all involved, some of the less believable coincidences or plot points of the writing are smoothed over. Patterson’s writing is never uninteresting, and it’s full of dark or rueful humor. He even repurposes a famous line from Notting Hill, here as “I’m just a boy standing in front of a boy…” There’s a very surprising bachelorette party story. But overall the less convincing aspects of the show seem there just to help create a specific plot twist. This twist works and the conclusion of the play is more impactful because of it, but I couldn’t completely get past some of the contortions the writing had to go through to get there.

F**king Strangers is presented by Echo Theater Company at Atwater Village Theatre through August 24, 2026. Tickets are available at https://www.echotheatercompany.com/