I COULD SAY MORE
January 10 – February 1, 2014
Hudson Guild Theatre
Written and Directed by: Chuck Blasius
Cast: Chuck Blasius, Frank Delessio, Brett Douglas, Robert Gomes, Kate Hodge, Keith McDermott, Brandon Smalls, Grant James Varjas, Monique Vukovic
Stage Manager: Katy Moore
Scenic Designer: Clifton Chadick
Lighting Designer: Brian Tovar
Sound Designer: Roger Anderson
Costume Designer: Esther Colt Coats
Assistant Stage Manager: Andre Revels
Scenic Associate: John McDermott
Assistant Lighting Designer: Scot Gianelli
Choreographer: Robin Carrigan
Press Representative: Sam Rudy Media Relations
An emotional hailstorm that erupts indoors.
It’s a constellation that doubles as a lesson in evolving gay culture.
Keith McDermott is an oasis of quiet, gracefully understated as Skip. Monique Vukovic, as Rakel, and Brandon Smalls, as Jason, are also quite fine.
Excellent performances all-around make for a strong ensemble that carries this show to its full potential. There is much to admire about I Could Say More, and huge credit is due to Chuck Blasius for writing, directing, and performing the new play. Scenic design by Clifton Chadick creates the perfect setting, and witnessing new, original work — that comes with more than a few laughs — always makes for a fulfilling evening at the theatre.
This play is just plain good. Dramaturgically sound, with a beautiful design of a summer home. And if you’re a gay man who’s ever thought about marriage, cheating on your spouse, why your friends (or you) are — STILL — wrestling with addictions or falling for “bad boys,’ or why your life still resembles Terrence McNally plays but is just a little bit different now but you can’t quite put your finger on how, then go see this.
The acting is uniformly solid. Chuck Blasius's writing (he also acts and directs) is notable for its ability to blend wit and melancholy. Most impressive is the rapidity and clarity with which the script establishes all nine of the play's characters unique voices, as well as the dynamics of the relationships.
Much has been written about the 'invisible' warrior generation of gay men who watched half their friends die from AIDS and are now well into midlife, aged out of the clubs and bars, battling loneliness and depression. This is one of the few plays I have seen that dares to broach this complex subject.