Round House Theatre is presenting a gripping production of Geoffrey Nauffts’ play Next Fall. The play explores the highly-charged dynamics that exist in the world of two gay men who are struggling to find acceptance with themselves, each other, and with society. The play is a heartfelt plea for people to accept what is different in other people and in the world. Under the taut direction of Mark Ramont, the two protagonists struggle to reconcile their vastly different belief systems in an often hostile and indifferent world.
Tom Story (Adam) and Chris Dinolfo (Luke) in Round House Theatre’s production of 'Next Fall.' Photo by Danisha Crosby.
Tom Story is superb in the role of Adam, the slightly caustic and sarcastic non-believer with a neurotic bent. Story lends a very relaxed rich humor to his line readings which helps to ease the tension of many of the scenes. Chris Dinolfo as Luke, the committed Christian and aspiring actor, interplays with Story in a very relaxed and natural style. Their scenes together are almost like super-charged duets of emotional give-and-take and their scenes alone on stage are the highlights of the production.
The somewhat stereotypical character of Luke’s father, Butch – full of bluster and macho posturing – is transcended by the economical and forceful acting choices of Kevin Cutts. The scene where he enters his son’s apartment and finds only his son’s partner there is a standout. Kathryn Kelley as Arlene, Luke’s mother, is also superb, and delivers several long monologues with humor, grace and an unstudied subtlelty. Alexander Strain as friend Brandon is appropriately enigmatic. Dawn Ursula, an attractive presence on the stage, plays friend Holly, and rounds out the cast.
Caption: Dawn Ursula (Holly), Kathryn Kelley (Arlene), Alexander Strain (Brandon), Tom Story (Adam), and Kevin Cutts (Butch) in Round House Theatre’s production of 'Next Fall.' Photo by Danisha Crosby.
Next Fall shows the strain that can arise from the conflict between the secular and the spiritual but the playwright wisely seems to let the audience make up its own mind throughout the play. However, in the final anlaysis, this Next Fall stresses reflection and sympathy for others.
The scenic design by Daniel Conway is particularly evocative as the main revolving stage component portrays all the present action while the circular stretch of stage surrounding this is used to show flashbacks in the characters’ lives. In a very innovative style, Conway utilizes vivid cityscapes and visuals of the changing of the seasons to enhance the meditative and elusive mood of the play. Lighting Design by Daniel Maclean Wagner and Sound Design by Matthew M. Nielson are both first-rate.
Round House Theatre should be commended for tackling such an ambitious play. You’ll fall for this powerful cast and production.
Next Fall plays through February 26, 2012, at Round House Theatre -4545 East-West Highway, in Bethesda, MD. For tickets, call the box office (240) 644-1100, or purchase tickets online.
