Afterglow

[edjames]

I ventured over to HK last night for an off-off-Broadway show called Afterglow.

 

This show has been running for a few months and is advertised to take advantage of the nudity and provocative subject of production. Naked men, shower scenes, and threesomes all provide tantalizing fodder for a gay audience. And gay, it was, the audience, I mean.

A small and uncomfortable theater space, yet surprisingly filled to capacity, with gay men, in a 60 seat theater. It was very warm, bordering on hot and smoky. The smoke is used to induce a hazy erotic atmosphere. Personally it had an odor I did not care for.

I sat first row and had a view of, well, everything.

The plot is rather simple. 3 gay men. Josh, Alex and Darius. Josh and Alex are involved in a long-term relationship and in the midst of a surrogacy. Darius is a young masseur who they add to the mix of their open relationship. Josh is self absorbed and as described by Alex, "Like a puppy that constantly needs to be played with." Alex is a successful researcher who, at first, is relieved when Josh and Darius take up a casual relationship, grateful to be relieved of the stress of work and his relationship. Things get complicated when Darius and Josh become more seriously involved. This is where the story goes downhill, and well, 2 plus 1 doesn't add up to a happy threesome. It all ends sadly.

Ok, yes, lots of nudity, shower scenes and the constant rearranging of the set in various configurations. Penises, naked butts and Water sprays from the overhead shower. Clothes come off, clothes go on. After a while it became a bit tedious. Given the uncomfortablilty of the theater and the intermissionless 1 hour and 45 minute performance, I was relieved when it ended.

I saw it on a TDF ticket, so I didn't have to invest a lot, except time. Actor, Brandon Haagenson was not in the performance I saw and his understudy, Tim Young played the role of Josh.

 

 

 

[Cooper]

More comments on Afterglow can be found on this thread:

 

https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/afterglow.127209/

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

The NYT found a lot of unintended comedy. That's usually not a good thing.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/18/theater/afterglow-play-review.html

 

When a playwright has to inject a lot of nudity into the show, it always makes me wonder about the overall quality of script.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

When a playwright has to inject a lot of nudity into the show, it always makes me wonder about the overall quality of script.

 

Are you suggesting I should skip the production of "Hair" that I have tickets for next month?

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Are you suggesting I should skip the production of "Hair" that I have tickets for next month?

 

How did I know you'd chime in with this?

 

You sir are welcome to Let The Sunshine in anywhere you please.

[actor61]

I ventured over to HK last night for an off-off-Broadway show called Afterglow.

 

This show has been running for a few months and is advertised to take advantage of the nudity and provocative subject of production. Naked men, shower scenes, and threesomes all provide tantalizing fodder for a gay audience. And gay, it was, the audience, I mean.

A small and uncomfortable theater space, yet surprisingly filled to capacity, with gay men, in a 60 seat theater. It was very warm, bordering on hot and smoky. The smoke is used to induce a hazy erotic atmosphere. Personally it had an odor I did not care for.

I sat first row and had a view of, well, everything.

The plot is rather simple. 3 gay men. Josh, Alex and Darius. Josh and Alex are involved in a long-term relationship and in the midst of a surrogacy. Darius is a young masseur who they add to the mix of their open relationship. Josh is self absorbed and as described by Alex, "Like a puppy that constantly needs to be played with." Alex is a successful researcher who, at first, is relieved when Josh and Darius take up a casual relationship, grateful to be relieved of the stress of work and his relationship. Things get complicated when Darius and Josh become more seriously involved. This is where the story goes downhill, and well, 2 plus 1 doesn't add up to a happy threesome. It all ends sadly.

Ok, yes, lots of nudity, shower scenes and the constant rearranging of the set in various configurations. Penises, naked butts and Water sprays from the overhead shower. Clothes come off, clothes go on. After a while it became a bit tedious. Given the uncomfortablilty of the theater and the intermissionless 1 hour and 45 minute performance, I was relieved when it ended.

I saw it on a TDF ticket, so I didn't have to invest a lot, except time. Actor, Brandon Haagenson was not in the performance I saw and his understudy, Tim Young played the role of Josh.

 

 

 

"Uncomfortability"? Is that a word?