Facing East

Carol Lynn Pearson's facing east explores Ruth (Dana Hooley) and Alex McCormick's (John Polak) son Andrew's suicide. The action takes place at a cemetery in Salt Lake City. At the burial site, they meet their son's partner, Marcus (Scott Stiegel).

Pearson wrote the book "Goodbye, I Love You." It is the story of her life with her gay husband, their 12-year Mormon temple marriage, their four children, divorce, friendship, and his death from AIDS in her home, where she cared for him. Her eldest daughter, Emily, married and divorced a gay man and is writing a book about the experience. Her ex, Steven Fales, created and travels his solo show, Confessions of a Mormon Boy, which played at Diversionary in the summer of 2005.

facing east examines the issues of homosexuality and religion. Like many religions, Mormonism, while accepting the person, considers homosexual activity as a serious sin. Son Andrew's history is one of fighting his natural urges towards homosexuality. It was a hard-fought battle that was finally lost. He became lovers with Marcus. However, he was unable to deal with the church's excommunication. He loved his church. He loved his lover. His solution was to kill himself.

facing east opens with Ruth and Alex grieving at the grave just after the funeral. Alex tries to speak the truth of their son, if only to the trees that surround them. Ruth, a devout Mormon, raised her son in their religion. She questions the reasons for his suicide. They are two parents with vastly divergent views of their son. From their sadness of comes the conflict of feelings.

In just over one hour, the tension builds dramatically. Hooley and Polak run the gamut of emotions in one of the most intense performances seen recently on San Diego stages by this reviewer. Both are portraying the pain of the loss as well as the conflicted views that cause even more pain. Did their religious beliefs cause the suicide? Was their son weak?

It is at the point that the tension is almost visceral, when Marcus comes to the grave. Marcus is quiet. His remembrances are of a very beautiful young man. In a moment of deep emotion he adds to the parents' guilt say, "You and your church made him . . . and destroyed him!"

Amy Gilbert Reams created a bleak cemetery. Her design incorporates a huge barren tree whose branches are like tentacles embracing much of the graveyard. The dirt from the grave is piled to one side. It is autumn. The grass is covered with brown, dried leaves. The tree is east of the grave, blocking the morning sun.

facing east does not let up in emotions for a moment. It is a dark yet extremely interesting look at death. Inevitably, when there is a suicide, questions are asked, and accusations are cast. Each of the survivors questions the others, accuses the others. It is painful, it is sad, and it explores societal values.