By Manning Harris
fmanningh@gmail.com
Actor’s Express is currently running Joshua Harmon’s comedy “Significant Other,” directed by Jessica Holt, through June 19.
You may recall that playwright Harmon’s powerful “Bad Jews” was the highest grossing non-musical play in the Express’ history. He and the company have a history dating back to 2010 when Mr. Harmon was the National New Play Network Playwright in Residence there.
You will find no blazing “Bad Jews” fireworks here; instead, “Significant Other” is a charming little anti-romantic comedy about a young gay man in his late 20’s looking for love—and marriage—in New York City.
His name is Jordan (Lee Osorio), and he has three gal pals who are in the same situation: Kiki (Cara Mantella), Vanessa (Brittany Inge), and Laura (Diany Rodriguez). But before long, the flamboyant Kiki is tying the knot at a big destination wedding. Jordan attends, of course; so does everyone.
At the wedding, Vanessa meets someone and, before you know it, she has joined the ranks of the blissfully wedded. That leaves Jordan and Laura, and they say they’ll marry each other if need be to avoid the scourge of being single. They both know they’re joking, and both hear the clock ticking, especially Jordan.
Mr. Osorio’s Jordan is full of charm and angst, but the angst starts to take over. All this seems seems a bit silly, because Jordan is attractive (although he doesn’t think so) and living in New York, which fairly pops with social network dating possibilities, if one is at all aggressive.
Instead, Jordan pines for Will (Edward McCreary), a hunky co-worker who may not even be gay. Jordan’s machinations to at least get Will to agree to a movie date are both funny and excruciating.
Evan (Jeremy Aggers), a gay coworker, tries a little counseling on Jordan, but without much effect. Both Mr. Aggers and Mr. McCreary play multiple roles, very well.
It is clear that Jordan is very low on self-esteem and could profit immensely from some type of metaphysical/psychological therapy, say, Louise Hay.
When Laura announces she, too, is getting married, that’s the last straw for Jordan. He turns childishly petulant and accuses Laura of never really loving him, of only using him as a convenient “walker” for events, and considers her impending marriage a betrayal. They have quite a searing scene, and it isn’t pretty. Ms. Rodriguez turns in an impressive performance.
I haven’t mentioned Helene (Judy Leavell), Jordan’s grandmother, with whom he has some telephone conversations. Helene usually asks him, “How’s your social life going?” But it’s pretty clear that she knows the score. Helene seems possessed of more wisdom and serenity than anyone else in the play, and I for one wish her role were more fully developed. She comes close to being wasted, as a character and as an actress (in this case the talented Ms. Leavell).
Helene is also perched over on stage left on a raised platform; a lot of the action is on stage left. I was seated way over on stage right.
At two and a half hours, the play seems a bit long and the pace noticeably slows down in Act II. Despite a script that is at times prosaic and a leading character who is needy and often annoying (perhaps we’re uncomfortable because we see more of ourselves in him than we’d like!), the talented cast struggles valiantly; and there are moments of fun and comic brilliance. There just aren’t enough of them.
For tickets and information, visit actors-express.com.
