VIEWPOINTS – Mark Gerrard’s hilarious STEVE breaks free from the past

steveWe are officially living in a post-Larry Kramer world, as evidenced by two currently running gay-themed Off-Broadway plays that, on the surface, uncannily deal with the same issues. In addition to Lincoln Center Theater’s observant production of Dada Woof Papa Hot by Peter Parnell (which I recently covered), I finally had an opportunity to catch Steve by Mark Gerrard last weekend, courtesy of a snappy but ultimately sober (and sobering) production by The New Group at the Pershing Square Signature Center. Although both plays feature gay dads facing fidelity issues, these two works are very different upon closer inspection. The disease-ridden, civil rights-driven plays that characterized gay drama in the 80’s and 90’s have given way to plays that ask “what now?” Terrence McNally, a playwright of the old guard, himself acknowledged this shifting of eras in his mournful, underrated Mothers and Sons two seasons ago. In fact, I would argue that Dada Woof Papa Hot actually has more in common with Mothers and Sons than Steve in that it attempts to make sense of the present by looking to the past – to unsettling effect. Mr. Gerrard’s hilarious new comedy drama, on the other hand, is more forward looking. Its characters are people who think, act, and feel in the moment, without the weight of history looming over their shoulders. In other words, in Steve, gay characters have become more universal and approachable than ever – despite some truly arcane, albeit delicious, references to musical theater history.

The New Group’s production of Steve is directed by Cynthia Nixon with a terrifically sure hand (Ms. Nixon is aided by an elegant, efficient design from set designer Allen Moyer and lighting designer Eric Southern). Her cast is a dream and it warms my heart just recalling the chemistry they had onstage with each other. In particular, Matt McGrath and Ashlie Atkinson (who respectively play one of the gay dads and his long-time lesbian friend) are sterling; they share an onstage relationship that qualifies as the true love story of the play in my book. Even if Mr. Gerrard veers towards precious, sentimental dialogue when things get tough for his characters, Steve is one play to celebrate.

RECOMMENDED

 

STEVE
Off-Broadway, Play
The New Group at the Pershing Square Signature Center
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Through January 3

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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