South-African playwright Ashraf Johaardien's Happy Endings are Extra opens Diversionary Theater's new "Queer Theater Taking Center Stage" program. The play, under the deft direction of Rosina Reynolds, is much more about relationships than the gay lifestyle.
First we meet Gabriel (Claudio Raygoza), who is primping himself for an evening of pleasure. Then we meet Chantelle (Anahid Shahrik), his fiancee, who mentions an intimate incident on the train into Capetown. Her feelings are mixed when she determines that the man pressed behind her in the crowded car did not bump into her with a briefcase, but just himself. The anonymity of the incident intrigues her.
Gabriel and Chantelle are a loving couple together, while accepting their open relationship. She is the mother of two from a failed relationship. She is mysteriously beautiful, with a native sensuality that ignites with a stranger in a bar as well as her Gabriel. Gabriel, we learn, walked away from his woman and child many years ago. Gabriel is seduced by and falls in love with a rent-boy, Chris (Michael Purvis).
Happy Endings are Extra explores the shifting emotions of a father who walked out on a wife and child and is still searching for love. His love of Chantelle is just not enough as he explores his bisexuality. Chantelle has found love in Gabriel, yet she's intrigued and, eventually, pursues anonymous sex. Her intimate telling of an hour of hotel-room passion reveals much of her ambivalence about her commitment to the man she professes to love.
Michael Purvis is a lean, sensual young man who plays a very convincing Chris. Gabriel will do anything for Chris: remove him from his chosen career, rent him an apartment, get him in school, anything. Chris turns him down cold. Chris, though nude on stage, reveals little about himself beyond being a rent-boy. He is a love object, but very, very much more. His relationship with Gabriel appears so superficial, yet with a passion that is only a fraud of love.
The three actors have developed and explored their characters in great depth. Director Reynolds' casting and direction are pure perfection. Her understanding of the complexities of the various relationships brings an added power to an already powerful script. Raygoza, Sharik and Purvis have developed their characters so thoroughly, it is easy to forget we are watching a play. We have become voyeurs intruding into the private lives and thoughts of Gab, Chan, and Chris.
Greg Stevens' set easily becomes many locations. It is basically draped in light material that becomes walls and projection screens. (Selected lines from the script are projected on to the material.) The sides of the set have three panels that become entrances as well as playing areas.
Mia Bane Jacobs' lighting creates playing areas as well as casting just the right color for the emotion of the scene. Rachel La Vine provides an emotional soundtrack. Her usage of a familiar aria during a most dramatic scene dominates our emotions.
Costume designer Shulamit Nelson has given Gabriel an understated look. Chris is in low-cut jeans and fitted tees easily removed for romance. Chantelle opens in a extremely low cut dress that appears to be painted onto her. Her other apparel, while less revealing, reflects her personality.
Happy Endings are Extra is an outstanding play exploring the complexities of human relationships. The total experience is extremely powerful. The audience is immersed in the lives of these three people. The explosive ending provides the exclamation point to the play. This may be the most powerful 67 minutes you'll experience at a theater this season.
