Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – S. Asher Gelman’s AFTERGLOW is entertaining, engaging telenovela theater

• By drediman
• September 20, 2017
• No Comments

The cast of S. Asher Gelman’s “Afterglow” at the Loft at the Davenport Theatre

I recently had a chance to catch the recently extended gay-themed relationship drama Afterglow, written and directed by S. Asher Gelman. I had been resisting seeing this one – friends and sources seem to have polarizing reactions to Mr. Gelman’s play. Some feel that the piece is full of clichés, while others feel it’s a close representation of what contemporary gay relationships (particularly open ones in an urban environment) are like. After seeing the Off-Broadway production playing at the Loft at the Davenport Theatre, I can relate to both points of view.

What Afterglow is is a smartly written and stylishly designed and directed telenovela about the pros and cons of open relationships. The production is also smartly marketed. With excessive nudity, a handsome trio of serviceable male actors (Brandon Haagenson, Patrick Reilly, and Joe Chisholm comprise the current cast), a punchy-if-uncomplicated one act text, and a Hell’s Kitchen venue, it certainly knows who it’s audience is. As a gay man, I certainly identified with many of the themes (jealousy! space! commitment!) and circumstances. Over the course of the play’s nicely-paced 90 minutes, I was engaged by the juicy proceedings onstage in the same way I would have been watching a good old episode of “Queer as Folk”. I’d like to think that New York theater has space for plays like this – not necessarily high-minded nor groundbreaking but imminently entertaining.

 RECOMMENDED

AFTERGLOW
Off-Broadway, Play
The Loft at the Davenport Theatre (Produced by Midnight Theatricals)
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Now through November 18