Scammed into Love

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Scammed into Love, written and directed by Briana Bartenieff with songs composed by J. H. Greenwell and lyrics by Bartenieff, is a play with music and not a true musical. It is a love story based on a romance scam business exploiting people’s emotional need for someone who cares and understands them. It is a comedy with serious overtones regarding manipulating people for their money. It is billed as a comedy queer love story.

Although there are humorous moments, the production doesn’t work for various reasons, including characterizations and technical issues with sound reproduction. None of the eight songs are memorable, and the characters do not engage the audience, which is a question of direction and acting.

While the performers work hard at portraying their characters, the effect is uneven. Some characters appear two-dimensional, and performances feel like a college or community theater production. The vocals are problematic, with some performances being overpowered while others pitchy. Overall, the show doesn’t engage the audience in caring about the characters or their stories.

The story is centered on the owner of the business, Lorelei (Audrey Latt), who had dreams of being an actor but ended up running a phone scam business. Bella (Rosie Allenson) and Tommy (Braderick Morrison) assist her in the business. Bella is a character who is very good at the phone-romance business and is obsessed with Tarot and the occult. Tommy is a bitchy gay man with a sharp, sarcastic tongue who is also good at the scam game. Into this mix arrives Olivia (Maya Patridge), a recent college graduate with a degree in business administration. She thought it was a life insurance business and appeared shocked by its real business. Bella and Tommy are comic relief to the more serious actions of Olivia and Lorelei, each of who have secrets, with Olivia’s being the most problematic.

As Olivia becomes more involved in office operations, she engages with a prospect who wants to speak with the owner. It is not usually done in the office, but Olivia convinces Lorelei to speak with Sam (Mactier Freeman). This connection becomes the focus of the story as Lorelei and Sam have regular telephone conversations over the months, with Lorelei slowly succumbing to Sam’s verbal charm. What starts with Lorelei running the romance scam turns into her falling for the voice at the other end of the line.

The telephone romance reaches the point where Sam professes love for Lorelei even though they have never met. She breaks off the contact and tries to make sense of her feelings for Sam and her commitment to her business. After Sam is able to reconnect with Lorelei, they agree to meet, and the truth about Sam is revealed, leaving Lorelei with a choice between her love for Sam and her commitment to her business. In the end, all the secrets of the people in the business are revealed.

Mark Marcante and Lytza Colon’s scenic design makes the best of the small performance space with details such as doors and walls left to the audience’s imagination. The lighting design by Alexander Bartenieff also makes the best of the small venue, managing to support and move the action as needed. Although there is no listing for a sound designer Matthew Seepersad is listed as the sound board operator. The sound design is a problem, given the size of the performance area. The effect of the amplification of the band and the actors is overpowering to the detriment of textual clarity. In the case of this venue, less is more.

The band is solid and expertly led by J.H. Greenwell. It consists of Sophie Grosswendt on bass, Ellis Nolan on guitar, Brandon Vassallo on drums, and Greenwell on piano.

Scammed into Love (through April 20, 2025)

Theater for the New City

Community Space Theater, 155 First Avenue, in Manhattan

For tickets, visit http://www.ci.ovationtix.com/35441/production/1232635

Running time: two hours including one intermission

A love story based on a romance scam business exploiting people’s emotional need to find a caring someone.