“A sexistential crisis.” “A fucking celebration.” These are just a couple ways that this liberating tour de force has been described over the past week, and I couldn’t agree more with the enthusiasm behind them.
The show begins after the poorly attended funeral of the eponymous Gary, the openly gay uncle of Mel (Chelsea Young) who had been renounced by his religiously judgmental family. In the aftermath of this show of familial disrespect, Mel and her friends Shawn (Cory Thibert) and Gregg (Tony Adams) wonder why Gary allowed himself to keep making the mistakes that drove his family away and ultimately cost him his life. It isn’t until they unearth a pile of letters addressed to Gary that they realize Gary had more love, more excitement, more life in his life than all of them combined.
Gary’s complete lack of fear, of embracing each moment for what it is, inspires each of these characters to dive into the unknown, to risk the big mistakes in life, and, as it happens, to explore their own relationships and sexuality.
The chemistry between these actors is phenomenal, and they
actually manage to make the gradual, rising intensity of their interactions seem organic, outlandish as some of the scenes may get.
It even tries to get into some post-labelling discourse in relation to sexuality, insofar as heterosexual kinks are concerned. On top of loudly proclaiming that no one has a right to shame another for how they wish to live their lives, this performance also enforces the importance of not being ashamed or afraid of acknowledging what it is you truly want from life, whether that’s out of your crappy job or, you know… butt stuff.
I think this invigorating play has the potential to speak to a lot of people, particularly when you think of how we share of ourselves in this day and age, and the different filters we put on ourselves (and by extension our social media) to avoid being judged.
There are still a bunch of performances left, and I highly recommend everyone to check this out while they have the chance.
But that’s just my thoughts. Put your own opinions into the comment section below and join the conversation.
Disclaimer: Anyone who might find themselves extremely uncomfortable or upset by viewing scenes of sexuality between two men and a woman should seriously consider watching another performance, unless you’re already willing to just say yes to the moment.
Performances
The Courtroom
Thursday, June 16 8PM
Friday, June 17 – 9PM
Saturday, June 18 – 5:30PM
Sunday, June 19 – 5PM
Tuesday, June 21 – 9PM
Wedensday, June 22 – 9PM
Thursday, June 23 – 10PM
Friday, June 24 – 8:30PM
Saturday, June 25 – 6:30PM
Sunday, June 26 – 5:30PM