My overall impression
Good theatre is something to be cherished. Great theatre is an experience. The exceptional story of No Homo lets the audience member in to those most private moments of love. Moments where we have to decide which is more important; to love as I want to love, or love others watching me be in love? Through parents, friends, movies, art, postcards, notecards, books, stories, legends, and myths we are told: “This is how you love.” No Homo asks you to instead love as you will.
With three dimensional characters, written intelligently and without pretense by Brandon Baruch, we are brought into a world filled with truthful conversations between loved ones. We don’t get a sense of the cliche archetypal characters so often running amuck on our LA stages with truth seeking direction by Jessica Hanna.
Each actor brings their own truth to the naked story being told. I need to point out specific actors or moments of grand choices, because there was no inclination of wanting more from the characters. I didn’t feel as if I was watching a group of actors play out a scene with skill, I forgot all about the actors, and was just watching someone’s piece of life unfold. Like watching a memory that I had almost forgotten, or appreciating that time when I was such a fool, a self proclaimed genius, and oh so very determined that I knew what I was doing.
No Homo is a true gem that asks a very simple question in an hilarious, skillful, heartfelt, and moving way; how do you want to love and be loved in return?
