TWO SPOONS
September 5 – 28, 2008
Bank Street Theatre
Written by: Peter Mercurio
Directed by: Chuck Blasius
Cast: Thomas Flannery, Jr., Brian Gillespie, DeVon Jackson, Margo Singaliese, Grant James Varjas
Stage Manager: Debra Stunich
Assistant Stage Manager: Heather Day
Set Design: Andrew Pape
Set Construction: Josh Pugliese
Lighting Design: Rob Hilliard
Sound & Music: Roger Anderson
Choreography: Robin Carrigan
Costumes: Jennifer Salta
Costume Consultant: Ricky Lizalde
Stage Crew: Mariela Nieves
Photography: Sarah Donovan
Production Assistants: Joe Hosking, Sheilah James, Danny Stewart
Peter Mercurio’s splendid new comedy about a soon-to-be-wed gay couple shows us that with a little ingenuity, even the aphorisms of the old American sage Ben Franklin can avail us!
Two Spoons puts gay love into perspective as it poses poignant questions while delivering non-stop laughs and penetrating social commentary; besides a skillful examination into the psychology of same-sex relationships, the play is replete with throwbacks to Benjamin Franklin, his maxims and his rather unique way of living.
I give Two Spoons two thumbs way up!
Ultimately it's refreshing to see a play about gay themes that operates on a familial level, for sure, and there is much to admire about Peter Mercurio's sense of humor.
Grant James Varjas makes the strongest impression here. His embodiment of neurotic Steve is multilayered and thoroughly compelling. He's matched by charming Brian Gillespie as Larry, the sensible partner in the relationship.
Varjas and Gillespie show off skillful timing and genuine chemistry, and their scenes have a natural give-and-take; they’re a solid core.
Mercurio knows the way a couple operates...to create two characters who are genuine and likeable.
A great show about love and relationships. If that premise sounds cliche, it's doesn't play out that way, thanks to the credibility of the characters, dialogue, and the subtle shadings of the situations. One excellent element of the play is how the playwright presents the inner thoughts of the characters, something that's easy to do in a novel, but very tricky to pull off in a play without compromising the theatricality. Yet he does it magnificently, aided by a great cast and clever staging. Truly a riveting experience, touching and funny.