Christian Lebano, Terry Davis and Daniel Kash portray the three loved ones left behind after a shared loss brings them together.
By Kelly Nielsen
Design Editor
PROLOGUE
In his last year of high school, a young man privately acknowledges that he is gay. While his friends accept his revelation, he accepts the fact of most likely never discussing it with his parents. He comes from a third-generation Mormon family.
During his first year of college, he returns home for Mother’s Day only to be stunned when his mother confronts him with her suspicions of his sexual orientation. Suddenly, the favorite son is not and nearly a year of silence passes. The topic is buried and a false parent/son relationship is resumed !but enough about me.
This is my review of International City Theatre’s (ICT) Southern California premiere of Carol Lynn Pearson’s Facing East, an intense piece about the failed three-way relationship between: Alex and Ruth, a devoted couple; Andrew, their gay son; and their strong Mormon faith.
I would like to believe I am capable of delivering a non-biased, written opinion of any stage or screen production, and I will do my best despite the strong similarities between my own early chronicles and the characters portrayed in Facing East.
Several religions have burial practices that include interment of their departed to be situated in an easterly direction. The deceased are buried in a position that would allow them to wake and sit up facing the rising sun on resurrection morning— facing east.
This story is not about burial practices. If you don’t already know what Facing East is about, I will let you figure it out yourself. This is something you must encounter on your own.
I will tell you that Facing East is a thoughtfully written play and this performance is a clear-cut example of straightforward storytelling.
Quite often, simple is better.
The ICT production of Facing East consists of four real-life characters portrayed by three believable actors, surrounded by an uncomplicated theatrical setting that includes effective sound and lighting. This one-hour-and-20-minute script does not let you go. I was delighted to find out there was no intermission. The Facing East story is very capable of standing on its own even without breaks.
Facing East is about balance and compromise. It explores earthly and spiritual relationships. It’s about communication, family and faith, regardless of religious affiliation.
I usually remember a performance based on how I feel after exiting the theatre. Did I leave the theatre laughing, crying or angry? I left Facing East feeling the same as when I entered. But during the production I was brought to the edge of tears. The actress that portrayed the mother (Ruth) stirred up feelings of both hatred and sorrow. I felt exceedingly sympathetic toward the father (Alex) and compassion for the son’s partner (Marcus). I left all those feelings inside the theatre. I am past that point in my life.
Facing East does not provide answers. Facing East does ask the questions that will cause you to examine your faith and personal relationships.
EPILOGUE
31 years have passed since that shocking Mother’s Day visit. I love my parents and I know they love me, though they never truly knew all of me. Unfortunately the opportunity for total honesty has passed. My parents are both Facing East.
Facing East performances run through Sunday, July 5. Thursdays at 8pm ($32-$37), Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm ($37-$42), Sunday matinees at 2pm ($37-$42)
MORE INFORMATION
www.InternationaCityTheatre.org
(562) 436-4610
