Los Angeles Theater Review: STANDING ON CEREMONY: THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS (Coronet)

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by Tony Frankel on April 19, 2011

in Theater-Los Angeles

AN EVENING OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVENESS

It was one of those magical nights in the theatre: a confluence of activism, sterling talent, and magnificent playwriting, made all the more joyous by the palpable sense of abundant generosity and community spirit. One hopes that Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays will become a mainstay of regional theatre long after gay marriage is legally recognized. This collection of new short plays from some of America’s most esteemed playwrights was conceived by Brian Shnipper as a fundraiser for organizations supporting marriage equality; but, perhaps inadvertently, Shnipper has created an evening of stark universality: Ceremony smartly elucidates why gay marriage, at heart, is not about religion and politics – the hot-topic theme may be a wedge issue, but the subject of navigating relationships in uncharted waters will definitely appeal to audiences of every bent. Certainly, the intention of the evening is to raise awareness of marriage equality, but the result is a frank examination of love’s painful and blissful odyssey and all its components (compatibility, negotiation, family, and regret, to name a few).

Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays by Kathy Nijimy, Paul Rudnick, Jordan Harrison, Moisés Kaufmann and Doug Wright

Most astounding is the huge emotional impact, due, in part, to the variety of the author’s individualistic journeys: in the slice of a wedding cake, we go from uproarious to sentimental and back again. The roster of plays (which vary from week to week) include playwrights such as Paul Rudnick (Jeffrey), Jordan Harrison (Futura), Moisés Kaufmann (33 Variations) and Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife). The 10-minute plays cover a wide territory – from the definition of marriage (the re-writing of traditional wedding vows) to conservative values (a conversation which hysterically springs to life from a Facebook page). Neil LaBute retains his particular brand of funny and shocking in a play about something that goes terribly wrong to two men who are headed to the altar.

Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays by Kathy Nijimy, Paul Rudnick, Jordan Harrison, Moisés Kaufmann and Doug Wright The coup here is that Shnipper (who also directs) and Carol Goldwasser (casting) have assembled a revolving cast of seasoned celebrities who are at the top of their game – we were privileged to see Jean Smart, Peri Gilpin, Wendie Malick, Richard Kind, Jack Plotnick and James Patrick Stuart. The performances, albeit music-stand-style, are so richly textured, and delivered with such panache, that it becomes a theatre-goer’s dream come true. It is a privilege to witness such thespian artistry: the evening’s funny and ingenious works come to life with soul-stirring and inspirational interpretation. On opening night in Los Angeles, the house was packed with supporters who upped the energy by tossing curve-balls of laughter, which the dexterous cast adroitly caught. Particularly effective was a new monologue, written and performed by Kathy Najimy, about a woman who re-thinks her past judgments. (For updates on performance rosters, visit their website.)

Only in distant memory has this reviewer ever experienced laughter through tears. Whether you leave the theatre exhilarated or reflective (or both), you will no doubt have been completely entertained.

photo of Kathy Najimy by Chuck Green

Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays
Coronet Theatre, 366 N La Cienega Blvd
runs selected Mondays @ 8 pm through June 27, 2011
for tickets and info, call 323-860-7300
or visit Standing On Ceremony

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