by tom andrew –
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Written by Michael McKeever, Daniel’s Husband gets its Southern California premiere at Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles. The show is described as “a bold commentary on love, commitment and family in our perilous new world,” where anything different or not the norm is finally being given recognition and acceptance… well sort of.
Daniel’s Husband is about a gay couple, Daniel and Mitchell. One wants to get married, the other doesn’t believe in marriage. They have what most would think is a perfect life, until their love is put to a test that makes one ask “Is love enough?”
Fountain Theatre has brought back three people who created magic on the Fountain stage a few years ago with The Normal Heart. Actors Bill Brochtrup, Tim Cummings and Director Simon Levy team up again hoping to create the same magic they did a few years ago, something all three are certain of.
“For a number of years after Bill Brochtrup and Tim Cummings were in my production of The Normal Heart at the Fountain, which was one of those magical lovefests that sometimes happen in theatre,” Levy said. “We knew we wanted to work together again. It didn’t necessarily need to be gay-themed, we just knew we wanted to do another project. For several years nothing really caught fire, then about two years ago I read Daniel’s Husband and I knew immediately this was the perfect vehicle for Bill and Tim.”
Both Brochtrup and Cummings agree with Levy, regarding how excited they are to be working together again on something relevant that affects everyone… and, it doesn’t hurt to have a script that is well written. Cummings was especially taken with McKeevers work, “It’s a mercurial play filled with laughter and love, sorrow and anger, hope and regret. The actors really have to run the gamut of a prismatic emotional landscape. In that respect, it is an honor and a pleasure as a performer,” Cummings offered.
“It’s clearly more accepted in every community now than it was, say, even ten year ago. But that kind of quick progress brings out a backlash and we’re seeing that now. Many members of the LGBTQ family are suffering unspeakable violence and repression, here and abroad,”
“But, it’s ultimately more about how the audience receives the play and how it may change them. I feel the piece has the capacity to change people, or at least deeply move them. Its themes of love and companionship are universal.”
Brochtrup’s own feelings regarding gay marriage does indeed mirror the character he’s playing. “There’s a line in the play that sums up a lot of my feelings about gay marriage: ‘The fact that we are able to get married. That it’s happened in our lifetime—don’t you realize how important—how special that is?’” Brochtrup continued.
“The fact that this is happening now, in our lifetime really is astounding when you think about it. Generations and generations of men and women who could never have even dreamed of this went before us and brought us to this place. The fact that in much of the world gay marriage is just an accepted, rather unremarkable occurrence should humble us all. I firmly believe that the tide of history is on our side.”
Brochtrup also feels that things are looking up for the LGBTQ community regarding marriage, but is quick to say that it may still be too soon for some to digest. “It’s clearly more accepted in every community now than it was, say, even ten year ago. But that kind of quick progress brings out a backlash and we’re seeing that now. Many members of the LGBTQ family are suffering unspeakable violence and repression, here and abroad,” he said.
“But I’m very optimistic, every day more and more people are realizing that gay marriage is no different than heterosexual marriage. It’s people who love each other making a commitment to each other… so simple, and so beautiful.”
Daniel’s Husband runs from Saturday, May 4 to Sunday, June 23 at the Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Avenue in Los Angeles. For tickets and more information, call 323.663.1525 or go to fountaintheatre.com.
