Next Fall by Geoffrey Nauffts starts as if written as a sit-com, with a punchline every minute, and the audience seemingly so conditioned by television laugh tracks, they grin, titter and chuckle on cue. But the jokes are good ones, so a lot was justified, and I laughed too. Then we get to the core of the play and find that it has moral, spiritual and social issues, particularly: can you be gay and a Christian?
With a fine cast featuring an excellent Patrick Breen as the complex 40 year old whose romance with a young "Born Again" Christian man (the very likable Patrick Heusinger) addresses religious issues and contradictions more than gay ones.
A tragic accident to the young man brings a group of people together, including the young man's parents, with a powerful performance by Cotter Smith as the injured boy's conservative Southern father. Maddie Corman, Sean Dugan and Connie Ray also give strong, convincing performances on Wilson Chin's wonderful mobile set, perfectly lighted by Jeff Croiter. Jess Goldstein's costumes give subtle hints as to the character of each person and particularly work with Breen as his character reveals sides of himself later in the play that are hidden early on.
Tastefully directed by Sheryl Kaller to reveal the inner connection between these men who care deeply for each other despite intellectual/religious differences, Next Fall is a fine, engaging play that will make you think -- and feel. And laugh.
