five shows in one at The Players’ Ring

“Late Night Confessions II” is the second annual brain child of a band of writers—this year, Mike Kimball, Susan West Chamberlain and David Mauriello—under the direction of Christine Frydenborg.

The collection includes five short plays. In “I Wrestle an Old Friend,” by Kimball, a man named Dan (Tim Dargon) and his wife Madge (Victoria Hogan) golf with a mysterious man named Dick (Peter Loureiro), who seems to know Dan like a part of himself. In “Lions and Hyenas,” by Chamberlain, a mother and daughter (Laura Fedele and Victoria Hogan) argue over what criteria justifies impeachment from the presidency. “Nude in the Parlor,” by Mauriello, involves three gay men, Jim (Tim Dargon), Hank (Marcel Morel) and Art (Loureiro). In the show, Jim ponders a nude male painting done by Art. In “George and Bill are Friends!” by Chamberlain, Bill Clinton (Loureiro) and George Bush Sr. (Dargon) chat over drinks. Finally comes “Reoriented!” by Kimball, in which Jonathan (Loureiro) and his wife Faith (Fedele), both former homosexuals until they found Christ, start a business helping other gays find their inner straight. They work with Marcus (Morel) and Brandy (Hogan), who are doing it for personal gain rather than inner contentment.

Homoeroticism, the tango, political debate and satire—who could ask for anything more?

Each writer has his or her own style and each one hits the mark. Kimball flexes his mighty writing muscles, inducing both hilarity and warm fuzzies. Chamberlain demonstrates sharp observation and even sharper wit, which she applies to her characters and plotlines. Mauriello makes us realize that gay men are just men, with the same level of sexual drive and often the same stupid assumptions as straight people. In doing so, he shows us that we’re all only people, no matter who we want to climb into bed with. Each writer brings something unique, thoughtful and utterly hilarious, generating lots of laughter from the crowd.

Tim Dargon, always a treat to see onstage, goes from flaccid husband to gay man to Bush Sr. inside an hour. I think there should be Olympic awards given out for lesser feats (not to mention he was performing with a freshly broken arm on a recent night). Laura Fedele and Victoria Hogan make similar transitions, from crabby housewife and rebellious daughter to Tammy Faye wannabe and lesbian, all within 20 minutes. Marcel Morel, as two gay men and a waiter/spy, doesn’t get to show quite the same range, but he nails every movement and every line, especially in his role as a man who goes straight to get a raise. His honesty makes us laugh.

But the two biggest stars of the evening are Peter Loureiro and Christine Frydenborg. Loureiro is like a younger, handsomer Christopher Walken with much better hair and a promising range. It’s no surprise to see that he’s logged his off-Broadway hours—New York City’s loss is the Seacoast’s gain. I look forward to seeing him in many shows.

The other star—should I say superstar?—is Frydenborg, who pulls quintuple duty as director, co-producer, lighting and sound designer, and general technician. Each show has its own message, and she gives each its own voice. Every show has the capacity to be “messagey,” but Frydenborg keeps the focus on the characters, who in turn give us the story. It’s one thing to do that with a single show, but five in one night also puts her in the Olympian category.

Frydenborg has taken the work of three talented writers, cast it perfectly and created a night of laughter derived of the best kind of honesty.
 
“Late Night Confessions II” runs through Wednesday, Aug. 3, at The Players’ Ring, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth, 603-436-8123. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 10:30 p.m., Sunday at 9:30 p.m.