The Port City Playhouse is staging “Next Fall” from Feb. 28 to March 15. The contemporary love story written by Geoffrey Nauffts is about two gay men in an up-and-down relationship in New York. The character of Luke is devoutly religious and his lover Adam is an atheist. The action revolves around their five-year relationship and how they make it work despite their differences. However, when an accident changes everything, Adam must turn to Luke's family for support.
“I want to tell a realistic story about two people who love each other very much,” said Director Rob Batarla. “And that at the end of the day, the differences that you think really matter just don't really matter.” He added, “Although the story centers around a same-sex couple, the central theme is universal.”
“Next Fall” opened off-Broadway in 2009 and was nominated for the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play. It also received a 2010 Outer Critics Circle Award as Best New American Play.
According to Richard Isaacs, 50, of Old Town, who plays the role of Adam, one of the two leads, “All of the characters are in search of where they are in life. They seem to be looking for something, but they aren’t sure what they’re looking for. I think it’s about life’s journey and finding who you are in life.”
Added Isaacs, “In this five-year relationship, they are trying to find a common connection and make the relationship work despite different theological attitudes … Some of the questions
Adam asks Luke, I have asked these same questions in my own life.”
Frederick Dechow, 37, of Alexandria plays the role of Luke — an actor in love with Adam who was brought up as a fundamental Christian. He says the play portrays a wide spectrum of the human experience — it’s funny, silly, sad and serious. “I’d call it a dramedy,” he said.
Dechow said, “[Luke] is from New York and sees things from a broader perspective; he’s a serious Christian. He loves everybody and tries to see things from Adam’s perspective.”
Batarla said he wants people to walk away from this show relating to the characters. “I want people to say to themselves that they heard things on stage that they have said themselves at some point in their life,” he said. “I believe that connection will draw the audience into the story.”
Batarla said that because the show bounces back and forth in time a lot, they date-stamped each scene for the audience — with every scene having an exact time and location. He said, “Not only will that help the audience understand what is happening where, but also give that sense that maybe at that specific time and place these things really did happened.”
A challenge for Batarla was to make the acting real. “I have asked my actors to speak as they would speak in real life,” he said. “In real life, we don't stop on our way to the kitchen to say a line … So we worked a lot on the fluidity of the show to enhance its realism.”
According to producer Carol Strachan, Port City Playhouse has a board and a subcommittee who read plays and make recommendations on which plays to produce. In turn, the board approves them or not and then asks the community for directors. Last February, Batarla interviewed for the director job and got the job in March, which means he’s been processing the material for about a year. Rehearsals started about six weeks ago.
Strachan has also produced for Port City’s production of “Medea,” “The Children's Hour” and “The Drawer Boy.” She also accent-coached several of their plays when called for a British accent. Her background is director, producer and actor since 1979.
The other actors in “Next Fall” include: Butch (Cal Whitehurst), Arlene (Gayle Nichols Grimes), Brandon (Andy De) and Holly (Suzanne Martin).
“Next Fall” performances take place at 8 p.m. on Feb. 28 and March 1, 7, 8, 11, 14, and 15; and 2 p.m. on March 8 and 15. Port City Playhouse is located at 1819 N. Quaker Lane. Purchase tickets for $16-$18 at www.portcityplayhouse.org. Recommended for ages 15 and above as it contains strong language and mature themes.