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Luke, a would-be actor, is more outwardly laid back and secure in his religion, but anxiety bubbles close to the surface, especially in terms of publicly declaring his sexuality. Patrick Heusinger exudes an easygoing Southern charm, a likability that masks, up to a point, his definite views of religion. Family plays an important part in "Next Fall," most empathetically Luke's divorced parents: his rigid, conservative father (Cotter Smith) and his talkative, cheerfully scatterbrained mother (an ingratiating Connie Ray). Yet friends are memorably portrayed, too. The sardonic, supportive Holly, brought to life in a wry, understated performance by Maddie Corman. And Brandon, a gay man whose own moral straitjacket is as tightly tied as Luke's. In one of the evening's best written
-- and compelling acted -- scenes, Brandon explains his own strict moral beliefs. Sean Dugan pulls it off masterfully, calmly explaining his thoughts to a perplexed, more than dubious Adam. One of the pleasures of "Next Fall" is Nauffts' evenhandedness in presenting both sides of an issue. The playwright doesn't preach or try to tell his compelling story only in black and white. He invests the play with a generosity that doesn't prejudge. Nauffts embraces both the virtues and foibles of his characters. And that inclusion makes "Next Fall" an even richer experience. ___ On the Net:
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