When I went to see "Next Fall," all I knew was that it was not a main stage production, and it was centered around a homosexual couple. I was excited to see my fellow classmates perform, but other than that, I had no expectations for the show. I left the theater being pleasantly surprised.
The show was set in the smaller theater, with limited seating almost on the floor of the stage. I was not sure how I would feel about such an intimate atmosphere, but it turns out it really allowed me to be connected with the actors and engaged in the scene. The compact en vironment allowed the happiness, sadness, relief and tension to wash over the audience and include each of us in the production.
Another aspect of the set-up I was hesitant about was the fact this room had no curtains. All of the different set pieces were set off to the side. There was a stationary wall in the middle back of the theater with a couch and coffee table on a moving floor to one side and a hospital bed to another side. Chairs and end tables could be easily carried on and off to create another atmosphere. I figured I would be so distracted by the scenery off to the side that I would not be able to concentrate on the show.
The actors' presence on the stage, however, was so dominating that everything else faded away. The small cast did a phenomenal job, making you feel like you were in the living room or the hospital wait ing room, or whatever particular scene was up. The cast was able to take the same scenery, with slight variations, and carry you from the present to the past and back to the present. I felt just as much presence in the cozy atmosphere of Luke (played by Tim Davis) and Adam's (played by James Early) apartment as I did in the cold, harsh reality of the waiting room.
The thing that was the most striking to me was the portrayal of the homosexual couple. Luke and Adam were involved in a deep, com mitted relationship; although they had very different approaches to not only the relationship, but to life as well. Luke, a devoted Chris tian, hides his sexuality from his parents. Adam, an atheist who does not understand Luke's faith, is openly gay. Adam and Luke were able to convey the uncomfortable aspects of having two different religious viewpoints so clearly that I could feel a pit in my stomach.
Their non-verbal actions were also clear. The way they settled in on their couch, the way they linked fingers, the way they embraced in moments of intimacy, made you believe they were a couple in love, not just two actors lashing a part. Convincing an audience that these two are in love can be difficult. Add in the fact that you are a homo sexual couple, and it becomes an even greater challenge. Davis and Early blew that challenge out of the water.
The thing that stuck out the most for me, however, was the way the actual moments of homosexual intimacy were displayed. I consider myself to be very comfortable with displays of homosexual intimacy, and I normally don't blink an eye when it is demonstrated. The per son I went to view the show with, however, has more of a tendency to be uncomfortable with the concept. The play was very tasteful in approaching this topic. There was enough intimacy to make me feel like this was a true couple with the chemistry needed in an intense relationship, but it was low key enough to not make my friend un comfortable in the audience.
Erikk Shupp did a fantastic job playing the part of the concerned father of Luke, a role that is beyond his years. Jillian Thompson, the part of Luke's mother, did a great job of bringing humor to the scenes that were tenser. Stephanie Trippeer and Chad Ownby rounded out the cast perfectly, each bringing their own dynamic to the role of Luke and Adam's friends.
This play really brought to light what true love means to me. The cast should be proud of the production they produced for the campus and the message they conveyed through their words and actions. The truest confirmation that the production was amazing - it made me cry. To everyone who was a part of the production - Bravo!
