The Vocabulary of Touch

In His Hands

The scriptures tell us that our very existence and the human condition are not controlled by those aggressors who would attack, persecute or oppress us. It’s said that God doesn’t create junk. We are all individuals with different personalities, wants and needs. Our lives are in His hands; indeed, as this beautifully performed one-act play opens, theatergoers hear a voice in the darkness singing, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” But the title of Benjamin Benne’s gay romantic comedy might also be referring to someone special in each of our lives who lovingly holds our heats and best interests in his hands, as well. 

Benne’s captivating poetic play is a gay love story with strong, conflicting theological influences. Daniel works as the overzealous office manager/receptionist of an internet-based company, but he’s praying that he’ll soon be leaving his post, appointed as a new Lutheran pastor. Christian is an attractive young man who’s hoping to land a job as a coder at this tech firm. Throughout the play, this pair of protagonists attempt to balance their love and sexual desire for each other with the doctrines they’ve acquired through two different Protestant religions. The two struggle with their religious training and beliefs as they navigate a possible loving relationship.

Sparked by touch, Daniel and Chris eventually connect with each other. The men begin their slow-burning flirtation at the reception desk where Daniel provides beverages, snacks and sweet treats for the employees. Throughout the next few days, he tries to discover the kind of candy Chris prefers. Then, surprisingly, Daniel learns that, like himself, Chris is also a fanatic of Nintendo’s Rainbow Road. Daniel’s prayers are answered when his cute coworker invites him to his apartment in a challenge to play computer games. One thing leads to another and soon the men are sharing a touch, a kiss and eventually opening up about everything, including their religious backgrounds. It’s in these moments of intimacy, along with their mutual sharing of personal information, when we learn what’s behind each man’s behavior.

So much is packed into this emotional 90-minute play that it sometimes feels a bit overwhelming, especially in the layers of religious dogma presented. But Director Micah Figueroa, working closely with Assistant Director and Choreographer Emily Brooks, have staged a mesmerizing, stylized production in which the lyrical quality of the piece takes precedent. There’s a great deal of beauty in this spirited presentation. It features athletic acrobatics, dance moves and pantomiming props that exercise the audience’s imagination. Co-Directors Kirsten Baity and Courtney Abbott artistically handle the staging of the play’s sensitive Violence and Intimacy demands. Jonathan Berg-Einhorn’s Scenic Design is purposely sparse and deceptively simple, as is Isaac Pineda’s Costuming.

The weight of the production falls upon the shoulders of the two talented young leading actors. Yuchi Chiu plays Daniel with a modicum of whimsy, glee and playfulness, but, when the mood changes, he seamlessly makes an emotional turnaround to the seriously dramatic. Mr. Chiu is an agile and impassioned actor whose talent has been enjoyed in such varied productions as ONCE, at Writers Theatre, and First Floor Theater’s excellent BOTTICELLI IN THE FIRE. Alex Benito Rodriguez, also pleasurable in FFT’s BOTTICELLI IN THE FIRE, dazzled in Remy Bummpo’s ANNA IN THE TROPICS and held LIFESPAN OF A FACT in the palm of his hand at TimeLine Theatre. Here Mr. Rodriguez is once again open and emotionally available as Christian. He’s smart, sexy and sportive as a newly hired computer expert who befriends Daniel, the knowledgable office manager with the keys to every door. Chris recognizes that this affable young guy with the encyclopedic mind is not only the best person to know in this new position, but is an attractive gay man who might just prove to be more than a coworker.

There are two other talented actors who make up the supporting cast. Matt Klingler plays Christian’s Dad. Seen in Raven Theatre Company’s excellent production of ALL MY SONS, Matt once again shows his strength here as a solid actor. Stern, cold, unswerving in his staunch Baptist religious beliefs, The Father sees absolutely no place for LGBT+ individuals in his world, especially when its his only son. He employs the assistance of The Therapist, played by Matt Martin, to exorcise the gayness out of Christian. Mr. Martin, whose work has been enjoyed all over Chicagoland, was last enjoyed in a thoroughly engaging performance as Abraham Lincoln in About Face Theatre’s LAVENDER MEN. He was also in a riveting portrayal of desperation in A Red Orchid Theatre’s LOST HERMANOS. As a “former gay man,” The Therapist has now been “cured” and is married with children. Knowing the forces he’s up against, the brutally harsh, uncompromising counselor is as unrelenting with Christian’s conversion therapy as his Father.

Benjamin Benne’s alluring new play is almost bewitching in the way it grabs hold of the audience and never releases until the final moments. Benne’s play certainly offers lots of food for thought and plenty of fodder for animated discussion. This enticing gay rom-com will definitely be popular with the LGBT+ theatergoer, but it will also spark some novel opinions and new perceptions within every single audience member. Directed with a vocabulary of touch, a definite viewpoint, a lot of artistic grace and a candy bowl of good taste by the brilliant Micah Figueroa, this is a production of a sensual and sobering play that will be remembered and talked about for a long time.                      

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented July 25- August 24 by First Floor Theater at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the Den Theatre box office, by calling 773-697-3830 or by going to boxoffice@thedentheatre.com. 

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