One of the great things about running my own site is I can be as personal and introspective as I want to be. For better or worse, I am all things to the site- writer, critic, editor and more. Even so, there are times when a work on the stage almost feels too personal for me to review. People are after all expecting some semblance of professional analysis rather than a personal diary entry. All I can do is try my best to share my reaction and hope I give some guidance of whether the experience is worth recommending. It’s a tricky balance I’m still trying to perfect.
There’s also an interesting sense of introspection that comes with Facing East for Salt Lake and its most popular religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which I am a member. When the play was written both the state and religion were in a different place and yet not that different. I’d like to think we have grown as human beings but there’s still a long way to go. This introspection is part of what made the experience of watching the play so powerful.
The production at Plan-B is directed by Jerry Rapier and it is in the Studio Theatre black box space at the Rose Wagner. In a way the intimacy is important to the success of the work but I do wish the venue was larger so more could experience it (it is sold out for the run.) When you enter there is a stage with a projection of a cemetery and a newly dug grave and flowers from a funeral service (scenic designer Janice Chan.) A couple has just finished the burial of their gay son Andrew who committed suicide. While they are both devastated their immediate takeaways from the experience are quite different, which is what the play explores.
The couple in question are Alex played by Jay Perry and Ruth played by Christy Summerhays. Alex is a pillar of the Mormon community even getting recognized by broader Christian organizations for his “One Minute Dad” segments on local radio (this would definitely be a tiktok if it was written now.) Ruth is sad about the death of her son but Alex feels an added layer of grief at what he feels like was a dishonest funeral service. Pretending like Andrew was not gay and that the teachings of the church didn’t lead to this death is so upsetting Alex wants to hold a new funeral with Ruth on the cemetery grounds. They are eventually joined by Andrew’s partner Marcus played by Kaplan Keener. He did not grow up in the church and in fact met Andrew on his mission. They had a connection but Ruth see’s him as a temptress who ruined their son, which is crazy, but not doctrinally unrealistic for strict followers to believe.
In many ways there is a sense of optimism within the play despite the sad events being portrayed. Playwright Carol Lynn Pearson talks about the strength of the pioneers and how we can make a difference one step at a time. I’m sure 20 years later we haven’t made those steps as big as we should but there have been a lot of people like Alex who are done throwing stones and fully embraced loving the gay men and women in their lives without any caveats or explanations. I know in my own journey I had to accept that this was a doctrine I just didn’t believe and then I had to decide whether remaining engaged in the faith was helpful. While I am not as zealous or active as I once was I do think remaining present and an active voice for those closeted and depressed is worthwhile. Pearson also wrote a book called No More Goodbyes and this is the most important goal of all- that all men and women are loved for who they are.
Some will make it seem like any deviation in personal beliefs is a betrayal of faith- even apostate but that is a lie. The whole basis of the Mormon doctrine is a young man questioning what he had been taught and finding truth. Even Jesus himself was known for confronting the Sadducees and Pharisees of his day, upending the money changers at the temple. When I told my leaders I didn’t believe that homosexuality is a sin I thought it was going to be this big moment and to my surprise the leader looked at me and said “Ok.” We may not have any say over the choices of a giant organization and the progress may be frustratingly slow but we can change our own behavior and make sure those in our lives know of our disagreement and know they are loved unconditionally. Their queerness is not an addiction to be conquered or a flaw to be converted from. This is the powerful realization that Alex has by the end of the play and his new resolve is profound. It’s just tragic it had to come after the death of his son. Let’s not let that happen any more.
The 3 actors at Plan-B are fantastic with each of them not only playing the characters of Alex, Ruth and Marcus but they all play Andrew at various ages in flashback sequences. This could be gimmicky but the acting makes it work. I was particularly impressed with the way Perry paused letting us as audience feel his despair. He is not afraid to have a long moment where nothing is said. I also do appreciate the play is only 70 minutes with no intermission. This helps us absorb the message and story where a longer play might be too much and feel overbearing.
Unfortunately this production of Facing East at Plan B is completely sold out. This is such a shame more people won’t be able to watch this moving and important story. I wish they could film it so it could be shared. I’m certainly glad I had the chance to see it. There is a waitlist which is worth joining. More information can be found here.
Facing East was written by Carol Lynn Pearson and was first performed in 2006 by Plan-B and then it transferred Off-Broadway in 2007. Jay Perry actually played Marcus in the original touring production which was also directed by Jerry Rapier.
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