This collection brings refreshing humor and heart and wit and variety. It’s not as fancy as A Doll’s House with its elaborate costumes and set/staging— but it’s well directed so that actors relate to each other and “match” without being in the literal same room. The love and commitment they investigate and celebrate is universal. I think those wedding vows in the last scene could be used for any couple, gay or straight! Kudos to director Helen Hart and the cast and the playwrights.
There are nine different authors: Mo Gaffney, Jordan Harrison, Moisés Kaufman, Neil LaBute, Wendy MacLeod, José Rivera, Paul Rudnick, and Doug Wright) The cast of 11 actors from the greater Lansing area and beyond include: Doak Bloss, David Durham, Phil Franke, Bill Henson, Monica Hiris, Darren Incorvaia, Elizabeth Johnson, Andrew Muylle, Filonna Thomas, Abbie Tykocki, and Cuauhtémoc Vargas
I’m a little frustrated by lack of a “program” that easily links authors and actors and character names. Some folks I recognize and some are new to me. I particularly liked “Strange Fruit” with Doak Bloss and, I think, David Durham? Abbie Tykocki brought a natural sincerity to both her roles; "My Husband” was a hoot with Jewish mother Elizabeth Johnson and her son Andrew Muylle. Bill Henson’s “London Mosquitoes” was particularly touching.
In keeping with Evolve Theatrics’ commitment to giving back to the community, a portion of the proceeds from this production will be donated to the Salus Center in Lansing. The Salus Center was founded in 2017 to serve Lansing’s LGBTQIA+ communities as a gathering space and information hub.
Tickets are $15 each, with only a single ticket needed for households watching the performance on the same device. visit http://www.evolvetheatrics.com, click on 20/21 Season and click on the ticket link. (Due to adult language and sexual references, parental guidance is recommended.)