Every long-term, committed couple experiences periods of doubt about their relationship – where one feels unappreciated or ignored, or the romantic fires have been inexplicably extinguished. But can even the most loving and dedicated pair survive the sudden appearance of a heretofore unknown daughter (and granddaughter) from a previous, long-ago relationship?
That's one of the questions Michigan-based playwright Kim Carney explores in the very funny, passionate and heartwarming "Geoffrey & Jeffrey," now in its world premiere run at Ann Arbor's Performance Network Theatre. And another is this: Does it matter that the two – together 25 years – are gay?
On the morning following what was supposed to be their commitment ceremony, Ann Arbor couple Geoffrey (Tom Whalen) and Jeffrey (Jim Porterfield) are quibbling over the disastrous events of the previous night. The unexpected arrival of Tammy (Callie McKee) and Taloolah (Heidi Bennett) – met at the door by daddy Jeffrey, hung-over, naked and wrapped in nothing but a Twister game board – sets into motion events that no one could foresee.
Including the audience, thanks to several delightful twists and turns that Carney built into the plot.
Inspired by the long-term relationship of Ann Arbor couple Jim Posante and Charles Sutherland, the near-perfect script provides Whalen and Porterfield with all the ingredients to develop fully-realized and identifiable characters – flaws and all. And each attacks his role with delightful zeal.
Whalen, a consummate pro, perfectly paints Geoffrey's emotionally high-strung personality through well-conceived and precisely delivered vocal characteristics and body movements. And Porterfield compliments him thoroughly as the bearish, more laid-back Jeffrey.
Together, they're perfectly believable as a timeworn married couple.
Not as well-fleshed out, however – by the playwright, the director and the actress – is low-class Tammy, whose real agenda becomes clear in the second act. (She's just not very interesting. And by play's end, you wonder if the story could work better without her.)
Instead, far more attention is focused on Taloolah, a worldly 13-year-old who grew up on the wrong side of Ann Arbor (Ypsilanti, maybe?). A foul-mouthed and disrespectful teen who seems destined to follow in Tammy's man-chasing, dead-end footsteps, Bennett excels at showing us both the hard-as-nails survivor and the little girl who secretly wishes for some stability in her life. And you'll laugh every time she calls Geoffrey "Grandma."
Adding to director David Wolber's slick production is Monika Essen's colorful set, depicting the coffee shop owned and managed by the couple, which is nicely embellished by Daniel C. Walker's light design. And Ken Faulk's sound – and song – choices couldn't be better.
REVIEW:
'Geoffrey & Jeffrey'
Performance Network Theatre, 120 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor. Thu.-Sun through Dec. 28. Tickets: $15-$41. For information: 734-663-0681 or http://www.performancenetwork.org.
