As a child and adolescent growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, Steve Somers
found himself the frequent victim of “bullying,” a term which seems
insufficient to describe the verbal and physical abuse the younger Steve
underwent. Now, years later and an adult survivor, Somers recalls those
difficult years in a riveting and often very funny self-written one person play,
which he has titled, with a sharp sense of irony, Bully for Me. 

It doesn’t take much for a person to become the victim of a bully. It’s
enough simply to be weak, or just different. In Somers’ case, he happened to
be a gentle child who preferred reading fan magazines to playing sports.  
He was “sensitive,” he wasn’t “macho,” and this was sufficient to begin the
cycle of emotional violence. Bullies somehow sensed that Somers was gay,
perhaps even before he did, but the verbal and physical bashing could just
as easily have been directed at anyone thought of as weak or “other.” 
Fortunately Somers had talent, which led to his decision to take up
performing, and became a passport to a more accepting world outside
Phoenix.

Bully for Me contains a great message for anyone who's been (or is being)
victimized.  Somers’ journey to self acceptance is a rocky one, but often very
funny and ultimately rewarding.  Besides the many laughs, the tears which
will doubtless fill your eyes at the transformative finale are well earned by the
brave and talented Somers.

Somers brings to vivid life not only his younger selves, but also members of his
family, classmates who tormented him, and other people whose paths
crossed his. Central to Bully for Me is Somers’ visit to his dying father, who had
not defended the younger Steve against his bullies, as well as a mysterious
person from Somers’ past who is attempting to track him down for reasons
which do not become clear until the surprising and moving climax.  In one
particularly powerful moment, Somers stands in a single spot, downstage
center, and tells us of the children and young people who took matters into
their own hands with guns.   Fortunately, Somers’ own “payback” is one that
does no one harm, and can only bring about good.

Though produced on a budget, Bully For Me benefits from an excellent
lighting design by Plume Buigues and sound design by George Calfa. The
dual level stage of the McCadden works particularly well, the upper level
being where a heard but not seen nameless prisoner attempts to contact
the person he once bullied.  (Somers did the set, costumes, and props himself,
making this even more of a solo show.)

Director Rich Embardo deserves highest marks for working with Somers to
bring his memories to vivid theatrical life. Ultimately, however, it is Somers up
there on stage doing his one man show, one which he performs to perfection.

Bully for you, Steve Somers! Bully for you!

--Steven Stanley
   September 24, 2006