Next Fall

“I’ll tell my father about us next fall” is the promise Luke makes to Adam.  Then life, as it so often does, makes its own plans.  Luke is hit by a car and in an airy, modern hospital waiting room Adam and Luke’s family and friends sit.  And wait.  And bicker.  And worry.  And Luke’s secret, that he is gay and living with Adam, takes on a life of its own.  

Scenes from Luke and Adam’s past 5 years together run throughout the play, adding on layers of complexity to their relationship.  Adam’s is at a friend’s party and Luke is the waiter who mistakenly gives him the Heimlich maneuver.  Sitting at Luke’s breakfast table, Adam is shocked to discover Luke is a born again christian.  Adam and Luke move in together.  Upon learning his father is visiting, Luke frantically hides pictures and a book by Truman Capote.

Next Fall’s religious debates have little originality, yet imbue each character with humanity and humor.  The play doesn’t refrain from taking strong stands, and though I waver in my feelings toward the conclusion, I certainly found myself touched.

Next Fall