NEXT FALL: Drama by Geoffrey Nauffts and directed by Kirsten Brandt.San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. (408) 367-7255. www.sjrep.com. October – November 10, 2013. [rating:3] (3 /5 stars)
An unsettling NEXT FALL at San Jose Rep.
Twenty five plus years ago there was a plethora of plays dealing with the HIV-AIDS epidemic and as that topic had become over saturated in the theatre interest has shifted to the legal ramifications of gay and lesbian relationships. There were numerous instances where a gay or lesbian was denied visitation rights and health care decision making for a partner and some states have legally sanctioned those denials. Geoffrey Nauffts’ Next Fall dramatizes one such specific case in this second play of San Jose Rep’s 2013-2014 Season.
The sold out original 2009 Off-Broadway production by Naked Angels was extended three times and the entire cast moved to Broadway in 2010 receiving good but mixed reviews. Brantley of the New York Times called it “artful, thoughtful and very moving” and critic David Cote named it “the little play that could.” It played for 132 performances. The reviews of a more recent New York and regional productions were not as well received.
One could rightly suspect that the casting and direction could be responsible for the wide range of the critical reviews but the author must share much of that criticism for setting up a hot button issue with disparate characters and dilutes the impact of the primary point at issue. He attempts to reconcile certain religious belief of the “sin” of homosexuality with a compatible loving same-sex relationship and for questionable reasons has included a taciturn white male with attraction for black men.
Adam (Danny Scheie) and Luke (Adam Shonkwiler) All photos by Kevin Berne
Adam (Danny Scheie) is an outwardly gay 40 year old unsuccessful writer who enters into a satisfying sexual and emotional relationship with deeply religious young actor Luke (Adam Shonkwiler) who recognizes the concept of sin and rationalizes that transgression by praying after having sex. Luke has not come out to his family consisting of a bigoted born again Christian father, Butch (James Carpenter), his mother Arlene (Rachael Harker) divorced from Butch and an unseen stepbrother. In the theatrical world every gay man must have a female confidant. In this play she is named Holly (Lindsey Gates). The dubious male mentioned above is named Brandon ( Ryan Tasker).
(l to r) Brandon (Ryan Tasker), Holly (Lindsey Gates), Adam (Danny Scheie), Arlene (Rachel Harker) and Butch (James Carpenter) grapple with issues of love, faith and acceptance
The play opens and mostly takes place in the waiting room of a Jewish run hospital. The fact that it is a Jewish hospital is integrated into Nauffts’ dialogue as is mention of other religions to prove one of his major tenets. Luke has been in an accident and eventually his condition deteriorates. Before that happens, Luke’s parents arrive and conflict arises as to Adam’s rights of visitation and medical decision making.
The play is non-linear with shifts back in time defining the relationship of Adam and Luke and filling background on the other characters. In that first scene, for some unfathomable reason, Lindsey Gates’ portrayal of Holly is loud conveying insensitivity that is not justified in later scenes. When Adam, who was away when the accident happened, arrives Arlene is the mollifying influence.
The storyline is predictable with only a modicum of surprises but also with a good dollop of humour. One of the funniest is a direct steal from La Cage aux Folles, when Luke attempts to de-gay the apartment by hiding fixtures and paintings before his father makes a surprise visit. With that job incomplete Butch arrives with Adam alone in the apartment. Carpenter and Scheie, both consummate actors, play off each other like finely tuned instruments and when Carpenter departs the non-physical duel is a draw.
There is more than a bit of discussion about salvation and redemption and at times seems to be proselytising. Where the first act lays the groundwork, Act 2 has powerful drama as the here-to-fore bantering between Butch and Adam verbally erupts and includes physicality with crushing emphasis that Adam has no say in the decisions that must be made concerning the dying Luke.
(James Carpenter), Holly (Lindsey Gates), Arlene (Rachel Harker) and Adam (Danny Scheie) confront personal beliefs and each other
Adam is Nauffts’ protagonist and has the lion share of dialog. Danny Scheie is a master at playing an effeminate gay man and to his credit he subverts those tendencies to give a subdued performance but there always seems to be a desire for the flamboyancy to emerge. Adam Shonkwiler’s sincerity as the religious Luke seems genuine and he makes a splendid foil for the flippant Adam. Bay Area icon James Carpenter give strength to the role of Butch and one would wish there were more for him to do. Of the other actors Ryan Tasker as Brandon, with minimal dialog, deserves accolades.
Annie Smart’s spacious set allows the scene changes to move smoothly without intrusion on the action but somehow seems inappropriate for this “family-values” play. Director Kirsten Brandt decision to place an early flash-back scene on a high platform on stage left for the intimate first meeting of Adam and Luke seems self-indulgent.
With the recent legal strides of recent years, this play would be more cogent in the 1980s. Running time 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of www.theatreworldinternetmagazine.com
