GET A PARKER TICKET
Michael McKeever’s newest play Mr. Parker, under Randy Brenner’s sublime direction is Dezart Performs’ final production this season running through April 21.
McKeever, (Daniel’s Husband) has written a well-acted, swift, 90-minute portrayal of domestic life. Terry Parker, a 54-year-old gay writer residing in the condo building Ansonia on the Upper West Side of New York City (Rick Bluhm‘s set effortlessly takes us to the world of the artsy East Village), grapples with overwhelming grief and guilt in the wake of his longtime partner Jeffrey’s passing following a tragic car accident.
We meet Terry (David Pevsner) following a night of drunken partying that he barely remembers when he wakes up in Jeffrey’s East Village art studio. The studio serves as a symbol of his inability to move on. He also forgets the trick he brought home until he rediscovers 28-year-old Justin (Nick Giedris) when he enters from the shower ass out and chattering incessantly. He is endearing but we also question his motives. The one-night stand evolves into more and Terry begins to rise from the depths of grief.
Resistance comes from Jeffrey’s icily efficient and cynically insightful sister-in-law Cassandra (Marsha Mercant) who was her brother’s take-no-prisoners business manager for his successful career as an artist. Cassie has an agenda. The Whitney Museum has offered a retrospective for Jeffrey. But, as the executor of the estate, it requires Terry’s approval and their dealings over his legacy have been fraught. Cassandra’s agenda is to break up the Terry-Justin relationship and to get Terry to agree to the exhibition.
Brenner’s astute direction ensures that performances remain firmly grounded in conversational reality, which is crucial in the Pearl McManus Theater. All three characters reflect parts of all of us and all three actors give nuanced, deep performances. Mercant makes clear choices in her portrayal so we know that while Cassandra is deemed a “monster” her intentions are always good. Giedris takes us on Justin’s journey with aplomb; highly intelligent, Justin transforms from a gay youth whose main objective is to have fun into a young man who realizes he “fucked up” and that he does indeed see the value in an authentic, intimate, supportive relationship with Terry.
Guided shrewdly by Brenner, Terry’s journey is a nuanced emotional crescendo. He remains surprisingly detached in scenes describing the story of Jeffrey’s death and aftermath until Justin, resisting their relationship becoming more serious than fun, breaks it off. Terry retreats into despair shutting out the world and almost losing the Whitney Retrospective. Cassandra confronts him one final time triggering his profound breakdown and admission of paralyzing guilt and grief. Through his breakdown we witness his breakthrough and courage as he takes his first true steps toward healing. It is both heart-wrenching and satisfying. Pevsner’s performance is so powerful that I remain moved after seeing it.
Mr. Parker, filled with humor and warmth touches on themes and events any human with a heart can either relate to or empathize with. The show is sold out with a few available seats remaining for the upcoming closing weekend. Contact the box office to check on what is available. It will be great when Dezarts moves into the new theater the company is building, which they anticipate opening for the 25/26 season. At that time, hopefully, they will be able to extend runs for deserving productions like Mr. Parker.
photos by David A. Lee
Mr. Parker
Dezarts Performs
Pearl McManus Theater
at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club, 314 S Cahuilla Road in Palm Springs
Fri & Sat at 7:30; Sat and Sun at 2; Sun at 7
ends on April 21, 2024
for tickets ($48-$55), call 760.322.0179 or visit Dezart Performs