Anyway…

Mr. Parker

How do you move on after losing the one true love of your life? One night, seven months after his husband’s untimely death, Terry takes a big chance. He decides to leave the loneliness of his New York studio apartment and rejoin the human race. The studio is significant because it’s the workspace that he shared with Jeffrey, his beloved artist husband. A tragic car accident took Jeffrey’s life, leaving him in a coma, Terry had to make the difficult decision if and when to finally let Jeffrey go. 

When Terry wakes up at the studio the next morning, following a night of heavy drinking, he finds he’s no longer alone. Justin, a hunky, cheerful bartender and Uber driver (who Terry can’t evem remember picking up) is talking nonstop and bustling around the flat in his underwear. Justin has taken a shower, made them coffee and confesses that they both had a really good time last night. Shocked by this brand new scenario, all Terry can say to the young man is “Anyway…”

Prolific playwright Michael McKeever (CLARK GABLE SLEPT HERE, SOUTH BEACH BABYLON) has written another heartfelt, often humorous and beautifully poignant play that centers around a pair of realistic LGBTQ+ characters. McKeever’s MR. PARKER had a successful run Off-Broadway and is now enjoying a much welcome Chicago premiere. Six-time Jeff Award-winning Director David Zak, the Producer of Open Space Arts, capably brings this 90-minute one-act to the stage with his usual flair and sensitivity. A proven veteran of 40 years in the theatre, Mr. Zak also staged OSA’s productions of SUNSETS and MASSAGE THERAPY, as well as dozens of additional wonderful plays and musicals at other venues.

While most plays about the gay community feature a young protagonist, this moving play is special in that it focuses on the life choices of a middle-aged gay character. Terry is about to mark his 54th birthday and, since losing the love of his life, he plans to just spend the day alone, as usual. But Justin, a likable and outgoing young guy, confesses that he really enjoys spending time with this man who’s almost twice his age. He convinces Terry that what he needs to do is throw himself a big birthday party. Terry’s reluctant, but eventually he gives in and does just that. However, Terry finds that the pressure of socializing with old friends too traumatic and he retreats back to the loft. 

Enter Cassandra, Terry’s sister-in-law. She’s a bombastic force of nature who has always handled Jeffrey’s artwork and gallery bookings. Before he passed away, however, Jeffrey gave Terry full responsibility of managing his estate, a change that Cassie can’t accept. She wants to insure her brother’s legacy as a great artist, and finds her brother-in-law’s aimlessness frustrating and maddening. Now that there’s a golden opportunity to install a retrospective of Jeffrey’s work at the Whitney Museum of Art Terry simply can’t deal with the stress. And when Cassie begins criticizing Terry’s newfound happiness and sudden relationship with a younger man, the tension builds toward an inevitable climax.

David Zak’s cast is superb. Each of his three actors bring their talent, humanity and honesty to the stage, creating three layered characters who are as real as anyone theatergoers may know. Andrew Kain Miller, so excellent in productions of THE NORMAL HEART and HIS GREATNESS, is solid as Terry. His opening monologue is a gorgeous, heartbreaking tribute to a lover tragically lost before his time. With Justin’s help, Terry tentatively journeys forward. Gradually he begins breaking out of his seclusion, finding life and love outside his apartment walls. Mr. Miller is truly exceptional. He hits all the right notes as his character adapts and changes with each new tempo. At first filled with grief and emptiness, Andrew creates a sincere, realistic character who finally decides that he may be ready and willing to take a chance once more.

Last seen at Open Space Arts in their production of MASSAGE THERAPY, Mary Ann Bowman is exceptional as Cassandra. Trying to be sensitive to Terry’s feelings, Cassie has always been the driving force behind promoting Jeffrey’s art exhibitions. But since a bereft Terry has been given control over his late husband’s estate, Cassie is irked by her brother-in-law’s lethargy. She becomes all about still promoting Jeffrey’s life through his paintings. Ms. Bowman’s a veritable steamroller in this role. Eventually her anger can’t be controlled any longer and she erupts. The actor’s strong characterization is alternately filled with frustration, tact and sympathy culminating in an overpowering need to be in charge again.

Newcomer to Chicago, handsome Riley Capp makes his auspicious debut as Justin. The actor’s youthfulness, good looks and enthusiasm shines throughout his portrayal. Mr. Capp is, like his costars, as genuine and natural as any 28-year-old you could meet today, especially those tending bar in Boys Town. Justin’s care and affability is sincere and audiences will cheer for the success of his relationship with Terry, whatever that turns out to be.

Anna Burke’s Set Design utilizes the intimate Open Space Arts venue beautifully. She incorporates the exit door, the small kitchenette and even the bathroom of the tiny theater into her stage design, still providing enough room for the audience. Benjamin Mills has Costumed his cast with care and taste. Cassandra’s glitzy, theatrical couture truly reflects her extravagant character, while Terry’s somber black and gray wardrobe epitomizes a man who’s still in mourning. And Justin’s clothing, from his flamboyant underwear, to his contemporary workout gear, tells us everything about this young man through his clothing choices.

David Zak’s production of MR. PARKER is a soulful, thought-provoking drama, that also features many welcome moments of humor. With great appreciation, the production not only began on time but was, as advertised, precisely 90 minutes in length. Other theatres could learn from this example. Mr. Zak’s talented cast creates a trio of honest, real human beings, each of whom journeys through some of the difficult challenges that life throws at us. In this powerful story of hope and redemption, there’s a good lesson to be learned. And anyway…regardless of a theatergoer’s gender, beliefs or sexual proclivity, Michael McKeever’s play has something important and meaningful to say to each of us.       

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented January 31-February 16 by Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the door or by going to their website, www.openspacearts.org.

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