Having It All

Dada Woof Papa Hot – About Face Theatre

In Peter Parnell’s comic drama, which first opened at Lincoln Center three years ago, we get a realistic look at how the Marriage Equality Act of 2015 has altered the lives of many gay and lesbian couples. Its passage seemed to promise the same idyllic life and privileges that heterosexual couples had been enjoying for decades. Gay couples would now be able have it all but, as Parnell shows us, that new life comes with its own set of problems, considerations and complications.

Two gay couples become the main focus of this one-act play. Rob is a middle-aged therapist married to Alan, a somewhat older freelance writer. They’ve been together happily for several years and have a three-year-old daughter named Nicola. Rob is the nurturer and dotes on his little girl; Alan strongly feels that his young daughter loves and prefers his partner more. At the top of the show, the couple is discovered meeting some new friends for dinner. Scott, who works in finance, and Jason, an artist, are another same-sex couple who are also gay parents. They have two young sons, of whom they’re both very proud. Eventually the dinner conversation turns to typical parental talk about getting their kids into a good kindergarten, the complications of arranging playdates, finding the best pediatrician, and other concerns.

The play also includes the couple’s straight married friends, who are parents, as well. Michael, who was Alan’s best friend in college, is a Broadway composer. He and his wife, Serena, also have a child. When Serena leaves the room, we learn that the title of this play comes from Nicola’s first words, “Dada Woof, Papa Hot,” her terms for Alan and Rob, as well as for dog and the warm radiator. Alan jokes that it’s a phrase that every gay couple would be happy to hear, under different circumstances. Then Michael shares with Alan a shocking confession of infidelity to his wife. Alan strongly advises his friend to break it off immediately. But later in the play, when Alan gives in to a seduction by his new friend Jason, the tables become turned. That’s when dramatic complications arise for all three couples.

Beautifully staged by director Keira Fromm, who sublimely guided About Face’s past productions of “Bull in a China Shop” and “Significant Other,” this production ebbs and flows seamlessly. The play moves without any effort through its two-hours, thanks, in part, to an inventive, flexible scenic design by William Boles, enhanced by Claire Chrzan’s warm lighting plot. The production is also enriched by the original music and sound design created by Christopher Kriz.

Handsome, talented actor Bruch Reed makes a welcome return to About Face Theatre as Alan. In this role, he creates a touching, multilayered character who both radiates kindness and affability, while subtly projecting certain insecurities, self-doubts and unaddressed needs. This actor’s candor through his performance is perfection and his Alan becomes the focus of Parnell’s play. As his life partner, Benjamin Sprunger plays a calming, supportive, exceptionally patient and paternal loving husband, in Rob. Both actors are excellent and complement each other in these roles. It’s their story of deep affection and self-discovery that makes us truly care about these two men.

The supporting cast is equally terrific. Jos N. Banks, who recently returned to Chicago after his international success as Lola in the tour of “Kinky Boots,” is, as always superb. Like Sprunger, he plays the more sensible half of this couple. His portrayal of Scott is ever the levelheaded gay father, the practical, calm and controlled parent and knowing husband. As Jason, Shane Kenyon is good-looking, quiet, but below the surface seething with sexuality and a lust for some variety and adventure in his life. Both actors complete each other, as the yin and yang of this gay relationship.
The always exceptional, hardworking Keith Kupferer creates yet another strong character in Alan’s friend, Michael. His advice on parenting and a confession that he’s strayed from his marriage is honest, painful yet somewhat understandable. We sympathize with him and hope he’ll see the error of his ways. Michael’s loving, if excessively powerful, wife Serena is played with no-nonsense authority by Lily Mojekwu; and Rachel Sullivan is terrific as Julia, the better half of another straight couple, and a character who plays an important part in the conflict of this story.

Peter Parnell’s play offers no solutions, but raises and probes a lot of questions. Mostly the play illustrates the absurdity that, with the passage of legal rights for everyone to wed, gay and lesbian couples will finally have it all. Because everyone in America is finally free to marry and have children of their own, Utopia would seem to be on the horizon. But, as we’re reminded by this play, that idea is about as far from reality as thinking that everyone in this country is accepting of same-sex couples and on board with the Marriage Equality Act. It simply just ain’t so.

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas       

Presented January 10-February 16 by About Face Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-975-8150 or by going to www.aboutfacetheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.