Joy
Joy
#0Joy
Posted: 2/3/05 at 8:08am
I wish I had time to post a more thorough review but I wanted to get this out there.
I saw this play at the Producers Club last night (opening night).
IT's a lovely little evening set in San Francisco in the gay 90s. Centers mostly around one gay man in school there and his relationship with another man.
Harris Doran (who some might remember from the recent benefit concert of Hair) plays the main character and does a wonderful job of being both likeable and unlikeable with his many flaws.
There are also very fine turns by the wonderful Natalie Joy Johnson (Bare) and Becca Ayers (Sarah, Plain and Tall) as two lesbians who don't move in together. Christopher Sloan is also very charming as Harris' boyfriend...and be sure to take note that Ben Curtis ("Dude, you're gettin' a Dell!") is in the cast.
The evening is very well directed by Ben Rimalower and flows very well, moving in and out of direct address with the audience into inter-character dialogue very seamlessly.
There's not a lot of conflict in the play, however, so you won't necessarily worry about these characters but you will come to like them and possibly love them. There's a great little speech at the end that has some real emotional payoff.
I believe the show runs through the 21st. IT's an Equity Showcase so if there are evenings that are not sold out, show your card and go. Or better yet, drop a few bucks and support the production. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
GeorgeSpelvin
Swing Joined: 2/3/05
#1re: Joy
Posted: 2/3/05 at 1:03pmI agree - I think the play is pretty terrific, and I really can't wait to see where it ends up. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet - I think you'd better - I overheard at the party last night that they're quickly selling out the run. What a wonderful production - probably the best thing the Producers' Club has ever had, that's for sure!
GeorgeSpelvin
Swing Joined: 2/3/05
#4re: Joy
Posted: 2/3/05 at 1:33pm
Becca's amazing in this! I would have loved to see her do L5Y!! Tickets are only $15!
Their website is:
http://www.joytheplayonline.com
#6re: Joy
Posted: 2/3/05 at 3:01pm
I saw this last night and really liked it. The play is about love and passion and finding and sharing joy, which only some of the characters are able to do. It's sweet and funny and deeply thoughtful.
The character played by Harris Duran is one of those gay men we all know (or are!) whose uncompromising political and intellectual passion ends up driving people away. Harris makes this character charismatic and appealing. His partner, played by Christopher Sloan is the perfect foil. The two female leads are excellent, and the lesbian love story is guaranteed to make even Rathnait happy!
The rest of the guys in the cast (including the Dell dude) are talented and sexy.
They have a Valentine's Day performance. At $15, it's a good date.
#8re: Joy
Posted: 2/4/05 at 10:37am
The Talkin' Broadway review is up.
I agree with what the reviewer says about the play, but I liked some of the performances a lot more than he did--specifically Natalie Joy Johnson and Becca Ayers, who play the refreshingly un-cliche lesbian couple and Harris Doran and Gavin Esham, who take prickly opinionated characters (like some of us on this board!) and make them passionate and, ultimately, sympathetic.
Joy Theatre Review by Matthew Murray
#9re: Joy
Posted: 2/4/05 at 10:48am
I'm actually very relieved he enjoyed it. But I found my experience very opposite in terms of the performance cited. I thought Ayers and Johnson were very winning in their roles, while Sheridan Wright was much less so in his role as the "straight" dancer.
And I think Harris was VERY good as the narrative anchor of the show. You certainly tend to empathize with Chris Sloan's character more (And he's imminently more likeable as a character), but I found myself very won over by the zeal Harris Doran's character possesses in regards to his "issues."
#10re: Joy
Posted: 2/4/05 at 5:38pm
Theatremania chimes in with another rave. I'm glad this reviewer recognizes the achievement of Harris Doran.
Joy certainly lives up to its title...
holden
Understudy Joined: 5/20/04
#11re: Joy
Posted: 2/4/05 at 9:57pm
I'm also glad that Dan Bacalzo was so enthusiastic about Harris Doran. I found Harris Doran completely compelling in the role.
I'm another person who thoroughly enjoyed the show. I love that the script is so intelligent, and funny. And I had a great time watching such a gorgeous and talented cast bring it to life.
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