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Crisis of faith

Home-grown new play flawed but thought provoking

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‘The Religion Thing’
Through Jan. 29
Theater J
1529 16th Street, NW
$35-$60
theaterj.org

From left are Chris Stezin, Liz Mamana, Kimberly Gilbert and Will Gartshore in ‘The Religion Thing.’ (Photo by C. Stanley Photography; courtesy Theater J)

 

They say couples who share the same faith stay together longer. In her new comedy “The Religion Thing,” now at Theater J, playwright Renee Calarco tests the theory.

The action kicks off with a giddy get together. D.C. attorney Mo (Liz Mamana) and her lobbyist husband Brian (nicely underplayed by Chris Stezin) have invited longtime pal Patti (Kimberly Gilbert) and her new boyfriend Jeff (Will Gartshore) for drinks. By all indications it’s a total love fest. Every line of dialogue is punctuated by a peck, smooch or squeeze. The couples are cooing. The ladies are hugging. Even Jeff is cutely pinching Brian’s cheek. Mercifully, this sugary madness soon comes to an end.

When former bad girl Patti (now a recovering alcoholic and hotshot partner at a D.C. firm) informs her hosts that she met Jeff at an evangelical mega church and is now a born-again Christian, a slight chill of disbelief momentarily cools the party; but it’s when Jeff — in quick reference to his gay boss — asserts that homosexuality is a choice and not predetermined, that the evening really takes a turn. Mo angrily disagrees, but Jeff remains certain because, as he explains (spoiler alert), he himself is a successful graduate of the “ex-gay” movement.

In the ensuing scenes, Mo learns a lot about Patti including her plans to reinvent herself as a stay-at-home mom. This tidbit of info particularly resonates with Mo who is eager to start a family in spite of her husband’s misgivings about their religious differences — she’s a lapsed Catholic and he’s a non-observant Jew.

“The Religion Thing” is an uneven comedy whose quieter, more serious scenes are its best. Calarco gives each of her four successful Washingtonians teetering on the precipice of middle age a moment to express their feelings about religion and the role it plays in their lives. As Mo, Mamana poignantly expresses her character’s longing to return to her youth — a time when it was easier to fully believe in the ineffable mysteries and sacred rites of the Catholic Mass.

For sure, director Joe Calarco (the playwright’s gay brother) has assembled an excellent cast from whom he draws solid, dynamic performances, though they might benefit from some reining-in (a bit of shouting, grimacing and stomping around goes a long way).

As Jeff — the ex-gay who dismisses his sexual experiences with men as somehow invalid — Gartshore could easily come off as a cookie cutter creep, but because of the gay actor’s wonderfully layered portrayal — and the playwright’s exposition — Jeff is a sympathetic, if not wholly lovable, character. Similarly, the talented Gilbert brings dimension to unpredictable Patti.

Versatile actor Joseph Thornhill plays various men who represent things the characters’ once had and may still want. For Mo, Patti and Jeff, he visits as a ghost from sex and good times past, but as Brian’s grandfather, he is a reminder of Jewish tradition.

Gay designer James Kronzer’s serviceable revolving set (cleverly lit by Cory Ryan Frank) allows the action to smoothly move from comedy club to living room to office to bedroom. Frank Labovitz costumes the cast in appropriate D.C. business and casual attire.

“The Religion Thing” is the anchor production in Theater J’s new festival “Locally Grown: Community Supported Art From Our Own Gardens,” celebrating D.C. area’s playwright community. Despite its flaws, the show makes for a respectable start to what looks like an exciting new project.

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Brazilian police arrest two men who allegedly targeted Lady Gaga concert

Authorities say suspects wanted to target LGBTQ Brazilians

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(Screen capture via AP YouTube)

Brazilian police have arrested two people who allegedly sought to detonate explosives at a free Lady Gaga concert that took place on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach on Saturday.

The Associated Press reported Felipe Curi, a spokesperson for the city’s Civil Police, told reporters the men who authorities arrested hours before the concert took place wanted to target LGBTQ Brazilians. Civil Police Chief Luiz Lima said the men posted hate speech and violent content online “aimed at gaining notoriety in order to attract more viewers, more participants — most of them teenagers, many of them children.”

“They were clearly saying that they were planning an attack at Lady Gaga’s concert motivated by sexual orientation,” said Cury, according to the AP.

An estimated 2.5 million people attended the concert.

A Lady Gaga spokesperson told the AP the singer learned about the threats on Sunday from media reports.

“Prior to and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks,” said the spokesperson. “Her team worked closely with law enforcement throughout the planning and execution of the concert and all parties were confident in the safety measures in place.”

Lady Gaga in an Instagram post thanked her Brazilian fans.

“Nothing could prepare me for the feeling I had during last night’s show — the absolute pride and joy I felt singing for the people of Brazil,” she wrote. “The sight of the crowd during my opening songs took my breath away. Your heart shines so bright, your culture is so vibrant and special, I hope you know how grateful I am to have shared this historical moment with you.”

“An estimated 2.5 million people came to see me sing, the biggest crowd for any woman in history. I wish I could share this feeling with the whole world — I know I can’t, but I can say this — if you lose your way, you can find your way back if you believe in yourself and work hard,” added Lady Gaga. “You can give yourself dignity by rehearsing your passion and your craft, pushing yourself to new heights — you can lift yourself up even if it takes some time. Thank you Rio for waiting for me to come back. Thank you little monsters all over the world. I love you. I will never forget this moment. Paws up little monsters. Obrigada. Love, Mother Monster.”

An estimated 1.6 million people attended Madonna’s free concert on Copacabana Beach last May.

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Books

A boy-meets-boy, family-mess story with heat

New book offers a stunning, satisfying love story

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(Book cover image courtesy of Random House)

‘When the Harvest Comes’
By Denne Michele Norris
c.2025, Random House
$28/304 pages

Happy is the bride the sun shines on.

Of all the clichés that exist about weddings, that’s the one that seems to make you smile the most. Just invoking good weather and bright sunshine feels like a cosmic blessing on the newlyweds and their future. It’s a happy omen for bride and groom or, as in the new book “When the Harvest Comes” by Denne Michele Norris, for groom and groom.

Davis Freeman never thought he could love or be loved like this.

He was wildly, wholeheartedly, mind-and-soul smitten with Everett Caldwell, and life was everything that Davis ever wanted. He was a successful symphony musician in New York. They had an apartment they enjoyed and friends they cherished. Now it was their wedding day, a day Davis had planned with the man he adored, the details almost down to the stitches in their attire. He’d even purchased a gorgeous wedding gown that he’d never risk wearing.

He knew that Everett’s family loved him a lot, but Davis didn’t dare tickle the fates with a white dress on their big day. Everett’s dad, just like Davis’s own father, had considerable reservations about his son marrying another man – although Everett’s father seemed to have come to terms with his son’s bisexuality. Davis’s father, whom Davis called the Reverend, never would. Years ago, father and son had a falling-out that destroyed any chance of peace between Davis and his dad; in fact, the door slammed shut to any reconciliation.

But Davis tried not to think about that. Not on his wedding day. Not, unbeknownst to him, as the Reverend was rushing toward the wedding venue, uninvited but not unrepentant. Not when there was an accident and the Reverend was killed, miles away and during the nuptials.

Davis didn’t know that, of course, as he was marrying the love of his life. Neither did Everett, who had familial problems of his own, including homophobic family members who tried (but failed) to pretend otherwise.

Happy is the groom the sun shines on. But when the storm comes, it can be impossible to remain sunny.

What can be said about “When the Harvest Comes?” It’s a romance with a bit of ghost-pepper-like heat that’s not there for the mere sake of titillation. It’s filled with drama, intrigue, hate, characters you want to just slap, and some in bad need of a hug.

In short, this book is quite stunning.

Author Denne Michele Norris offers a love story that’s everything you want in this genre, including partners you genuinely want to get to know, in situations that are real. This is done by putting readers inside the characters’ minds, letting Davis and Everett themselves explain why they acted as they did, mistakes and all. Don’t be surprised if you have to read the last few pages twice to best enjoy how things end. You won’t be sorry.

If you want a complicated, boy-meets-boy, family-mess kind of book with occasional heat, “When the Harvest Comes” is your book. Truly, this novel shines.

The Blade may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via this post.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

LGBTQ politicians gather for annual event

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Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) speaks at the 2025 Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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