Learning to Live Again In Mixed Company's "Jeffrey" at Seventh Street Theater *** (out of *****) Mark S.P. Turvin (w) 965-1021 (h) 894-5443 I can be reached for comment via e-mail at: mspt@asu.edu Nowhere has the epidemic of AIDS been felt more than in the gay community, where the disease ran rampant and still kills an unproportionate amount of its victims in comparison to the straight community. The result has been a backlash within the homosexual community against the overt and promiscuous lifestyle that marked their triumphant exit from the closet after Stonewall during the late '70s and early '80s. Jeffrey, a gay man from Wisconsin living in Greenwhich Village, is a prototype of the new thinking among young gay men. Faced with a circle of friends who spend an awful lot of their time talking about T-cells and attending memorials for fallen comrades, he makes the decision to forsake sex and live safely, if a lot lonelier. Of course, after making this resolution, he is faced with an Adonis who tries to tempt him back into living again. How far is Jeffrey willing to go to live risk-free? In Mixed Company, which has a great track record in presenting fringe theatre and issue-oriented plays, offers a good production of this generally raucous comedy. While there are a few rough spots and uneven performances, director D. Scott Withers does generally manage to keep the fast pace of a show that presents a lighter side to a dark and difficult subject. Buoyed by a solid performance by Dwayne Hartford as the hesitant Jeffrey and a wonderful performance by Ginny Harmon in her multiple roles playing all of the women in the show, Jeffrey is able to transcend the epithet of funny gay-themed play to become a funny play about the human condition. As Jeffrey, Dwayne Hartford is sincere and likable. While his character draws further from life and love, Mr. Hartford is still able to maintain his connection and empathy with the audience. More than just a hesitant gay man, Mr. Hartford is able to present himself as a frightened and overwhelmed Everyman. Ginny Harmon, who won an ariZoni award for her performance in IMCo's hit last season, "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress," is once again hilarious as she plays all of the female characters in the show, from Jeffrey's mom to a nasty, self-centered evangelist to Mother Theresa. She infuses such energy into each of her small roles that she nearly steals the show away from the men. Generally good performances came from John King as the older Sterling, Jeffrey's friend and a gay man in love with an HIV- positive chorus boy, Mel Reid in his various roles, most especially as Jeffrey's father in a hilarious imagined phone conversation, and Robert Harper in his various roles, although he is unconvincingly heterosexual as a threatening gay basher. Perhaps that was the biggest problem with the evening, and was reflected in the disappointing performances of Scott Balthazor as Jeffrey's love interest, Steve, and David Jones as Darius, the aforementioned HIV-infected member of the "Cats" cast. As is true with any varied group of people, there are different types and personalities. The most prevalent problem with Jeffrey, as is pointed out in Kevin Kerrigan's crucial but way-over-the-top performance of the gay priest, was the lack of modulation in personalities. Everyone onstage who was gay, to varying degrees, was stereotypically overt and effeminate. There should have been some who were more "butch," as Mr. Balthazor had the chance of being. Instead, everyone tips the scale more towards stereotypical rather than human, which is ironic in a show that emphasizes humanity so much. Scenic designer T.J. Weltzien and lighting and sound designer Matt Fabian offered a set and lighting that was effective without being too flashy. The same can be said of Crel Vogel's costumes. Nothing stood out as impressive, but nothing stood at as inappropriate, either. Overall, the humor and drama of this show are well-presented. The solid and standout performances overcome Mr. Withers few inappropriate directorial choices. Even the moments of drama that slow the second act down do not hinder a generally funny and interesting evening of theatre. While the subject matter may not be suitable for some audience members, there is much innately human in the show that offers itself as something more than a gay- themed play. Production Details: "Jeffrey" by Paul Rudnick In Mixed Company Seventh Street Theatre, Phoenix Phone: 834-3032 E-mail: WWW: October 24th-November 9th, 1996 -30-