Review: NEXT FALL Stands Tall

NEXT FALL at Theatre Downtown is one of those plays that you just keep thinking about, going back to in your mind all night and again over the next days. Dealing with subjects like faith and family, acceptance and repentance, you cannot help but find something that will change your heart or at least give you pause.

This is the story of two people who fall in love, move in together and face their differences, but with the added strain of being a same sex couple. With one of the partners not wanting to admit who he really is due to religious beliefs, you have an interesting play. Add in the trauma of an accident and you have a truly emotional experience.

Chuck Duck as Adam and Dallas Reginald Nolen as Luke have chemistry on stage and put in excellent performances. Nolen really shines in this part and is maturing greatly as an actor every time I see him.

Flannery Hooks as Holly also does a good job and this time, due to an emergency, joined the cast late. I thought I would have to give her some slack when I heard that, but she turns in one of the most solid performances of the evening. Ms. Hooks is the master of perfect pauses, you can see her emotions on her face as she waits for the perfect time to speak.

As always, Debbie Smith and Todd Ponder do an excellent job. Matthew Whaley is also strong, although during the first act I wasn't really sure what purpose his character served. It becomes much clearer in the second act.

I have to say that I was a bit confused during the first act. Not with the story line, (even though it does go back and forth between the present and one to five years ago, as well as back and forth from a hospital to other settings) but with the emotions when they are in the hospital. The scene transitions were handled in a way that made all of the changing easy to follow, so kudos for that to Leslie Plaia, the director.

In Act One I got the sense from some things that are said that the situation is serious, but I didn't feel it as serious due to the flippant conversations going on. I do know in such situations you talk about anything and everything, sometimes to not think about what could happen, but also just to pass the time and awkward silences. But I didn't feel the underlying grief, pain or fear.

Act Two is a whole different ballgame. Things I was unsure about in Act One are made clear and the emotion is ratcheted up and up and up. At the end of Act One when they say "something has changed," they are not kidding.

Act Two is when Chuck Duck and Flannery Hooks really shine and by the end emotions are running high. This play is a great example of levels of emotion and building during the course of a show. I almost wish we could have had a bit more emotion in the first act so the second one isn't so draining, but that is just me.

Overall, the play is well done and again Theatre Downtown picks a provocative, emotional, and enlightening production. This is one I wish many people would see and feel. Last night the audience was slim and this cast deserves sold out performances. Come on people, I know it is football season and lots of shows are playing now all at once, but let's go out and support these talented folks.

Go to theatredowntown.org or call 205-565-8838 to get ticket information. The show runs through October 3 and the theatre has been running different incentives to get you there. So check out the website and go!

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