Through Sat 11/9
Convergence-continuum’s mission states that the theater intends to “produce plays and experiences that challenge the conventional notions of what theatre is.”
Artistic director Clyde Simon continues to select plays that other area venues won’t produce. His selections usually have controversial social themes. Much to the delight of his loyal niche audience, for the purpose of fostering LGBT voices, he often picks gay-centric scripts which you wouldn’t see if con-con didn’t stage them. Jordan Seavey’s Homos, or Everyone in America, now on the con-con stage, is such a play.
Seavey’s script had its world premiere in November, 2016 in a critically praised off-Broadway limited run. That production starred Robin DeJusus, the two-time Tony nominee for In the Heights and La Cage Aux Folles and Michael Urie of television’s Ugly Betty and Younger and Broadway’s How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The production was selected by New York Magazine as one of the 10 Best Theater Events of the year, with Urie winning the OBIE Award for best performance.
The script asks such questions as: What does it mean to be in a gay committed relationship? Is there a role for monogamy in that relationship? How does one resolve conflict between a couple with different views of life? How does one deal with a vicious hate crime?
Presented in a nonlinear format, with flash-forwards and flashbacks, we act as eavesdroppers in the intimate Liminis staging space, on the birth, death and reestablishment of the connected lives of two Brooklyn gay guys. We are onlookers as The Writer (Nate Homolka) and The Academic (Kieron Cindric), uptight nebbish-boy-meets-manic-pixie-dream-girl, get together on a cyber-arranged wine bar date.
The duo not only has difficulty selecting between white and red wine, but argue about poppers, the drawbacks of marriage equality, and monogamy/non-monogamy as a part of gay life. In spite of that, “love blooms.” As their lives blend together, they negotiate professional anxiety, cohabitation, religious and spiritual differences, and the presence of Dan, a raven-haired cutie who becomes a distracting part of their co-existence.
As a review of the Big Apple production states, “the men are free-spirited and repressed in their own special ways, making their relationship feel very real. Like many over-educated New Yorkers, their banal arguments are fueled by academic buzzwords and the sex advice of Dan Savage.”
The con-con production is nicely directed by Clyde Simon. The pace is crisp, the staging enveloping, the multi-platformed set works well, the characters are nicely etched, and the story telling is clear. Both Nate Homolka and Kieron Condric develop consistent and well-textured personages. Though often given overly affected and ultra-dramatic lines, the duo keeps it mainly real. Corey East as Dan and Rocky Encalada as compassionate salesperson Laila develop their roles effectively.
If there is a problem with the script, it is Seavey’s overuse of gay stereotypes to develop the plot. With a little less “swish” and hysteria, and a little more working toward developing a more mature look at gay relationships, the play would have more social impact and more realistically examine “everyone in America.”
CAPSULE JUDGMENT: Homos, or Everyone in America gets a good production at con-con. While some of the stereotypes could have been pulled back by the author, there is enough empathy developed to hold the audience’s attention.
Homos, or Everyone in America runs through Sat 11/9 at 8 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at convergence-continuum’s artistic home, The Liminis For information and reservations call 216-687-0074 or go to convergence-continuum.
[Written by Roy Berko, member, American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle]
Cleveland, OH 44113