Imagine loving someone who thinks you’re going to Hell. No, Geoffrey Nauffts’ play “Next Fall“– which embarked on a heroic Broadway run in March– isn’t an acerbic comedy about a couple drinking and quipping their way through an acrimonious divorce. It’s your basic boy meets boy, both both boys fall in love, but there are complications story. The biggest being that one boy, Luke, a young aspiring actor/cater waiter is already in love with Jesus when he meets Adam, a nearly middle-aged writer turned candle shop salesman.
Luke, a New York transplant Christian fundamentalist from Florida, isn’t bothered by his gay one night stand or the five year committed romance that ensues. That, he tells Adam over scrambled eggs after their first steamy night, is “just sinning… and we’re all sinners.” For Luke the heartache comes from Adam’s religious ambivalence; he is–depending on the day–either an agnostic or an atheist. And without accepting Jesus Christ as his personal savior, Luke fears for his lover’s salvation.
For Adam the biggest stumbling block is Luke’s double life. While they live an openly gay life in New York City with an accepting and lively mix of straight and gay friends and Adam’s mother adores Luke, Adam has only had accidental brush-ups with his sweetheart’s parents. The thing is: as far as his parents are concerned Luke’s deep closet is a swinging bachelor pad where their gorgeous son sows his wild oats until the right Christian girl comes along.
By the time everyone is officially re-united–in the waiting room of a Jewish hospital( just to cover all the bases, I guess)–the air is heavy with tragedy and it may be too late to repair the painfully unnecessary schism. Luke. struck by a taxi and lingering in a coma, comes to life through flashbacks and a brief hospital scene.
Nauffts, who is primarily an actor and the current Artistic Director of Naked Angels, a respected off-Broadway theatre company, deftly handles the heavy material, infusing moments of levity, providing his well developed characters with crisp dialogue that mimics that of a cosmopolitan comedy. A hybrid in the best sense of the word, “Fall” is a quirky comedy, a love story and a family drama. At its core it is about love, in all its forms, and with all its imperfections. It is about being who you are, saying what you need to say and openly loving who you love. Before it’s too late.
The cast, led by Patrick Heusinger as Luke and Patrick Breen as Adam, fully embody the characters, pouring out a rich amalgam of raw emotion and human frailty throughout the show. Cotter Smith as Luke’s fundamentalist father, Butch, delivers the most heartbreaking performance. Butch–a born again man’s man– is the one who had threatened his artistic son after Luke dropped out of law school to pursue acting: “Don’t turn gay or you’ll never see your brother again.” But on a surprise visit a few years earlier Butch gets the loud and proud picture, but pretends–and lets Luke and Adam pretend– he doesn’t.
Connie Ray, as Luke’s mom, Arlene, a Southern eccentric on the cusp of relapse or redemption, is also a stand-out. Arlie delivers the fast barbs, but she also breaks your heart as she grapples with her maternal failings in the wake of her beloved boy’s dire predicament. And even though they’ve been divorced for twenty years, she’s also lovingly protective of Butch.
Director Sheryl Kaller guides the sensitive play and all its tricky staging with a soft and able hand. Nauffts hits the mark most of the time. There are a few awkward moments and one under-developed character, Luke’s religious friend Brandon ( the able Sean Dugan). And over-playing his point a bit, Nauffts hurls “Our Town” references and Jesus Land jokes with a heavy hand. But with such tender material, handled with such sweet power, his occasional over-indulgences are easily forgiven.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the near capacity house on the day I saw “Next Fall.” And the superb cast earned a long, emotional standing ovation. Unfortunately while “Next Fall” has enjoyed a critically triumphant run, the stark financial realities of Broadway have it in the red. It’s a good thing it’s being kept afloat by a substantial cadre of producers including Elton John’s very deep and generous pockets.
Let’s hope it can hang on until the Tony Awards in June; an accolade or two could keep it running a few more months. If you’re in New York–or plan a trip this spring– catch “Next Fall,” the little play that could…. change lives.
“Next Fall” by Geoffrey Nauffts at The Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 W. 44th Street, NYC. Tickets available at telecharge.com or (212)-239-6200. Discount tickets may be available at the TKTS booth in Time Square( available the day of show).
Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace, love and understanding.
aba
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