Of AIDS and humour

There isn’t much that swears people off sex – except maybe AIDS.

In Walterdale Theatre’s production of Jeffrey, opening tonight for a 10-day run, the title character has sworn off sex.

It’s the mid-nineties, the height of the AIDS epidemic in Manhattan and it’s not that Jeffrey is afraid of dying. The gay man is afraid of falling in love with someone who may die.

But then Jeffrey’s (Sean MacKinnon) celibacy is threatened and personal conflicts crop up when he meets the hunky Steve (Logan Boon) at the gym. They both have a similar sense of humour and the casual flirtations develop into stronger feelings.

“It’s the idea of letting go and allowing yourself to love,” says director Sarah van Tassel (Burning Vision).

“He’s locked himself in a place where he can’t have sex and can’t have love. It’s the idea of breaking down walls and accepting people for who they are.”

Humorist Paul Rudnick, who enjoys an international career as both a playwright and novelist, wrote this gay romantic comedy in 1993. At first no theatre would touch it describing Jeffrey as a comedy about AIDS. But after a sold-out run at the tiny WPA Theatre in New York City, it became a commercial hit.

Rudnick’s stock in trade is witty one-liners that have received stand-up reviews from critics across North America.

“He creates humour by taking subject matter and laughing around the idea. He goes to the extreme. In this case, it’s not just safe sex. It’s no sex. He probes all the aspects of that decision and hits you with it.”

One actor that ramps up the humour is former St. Albert resident Catherine Wenschlag. She plays the comedic catalyst to Jeffrey and Steve’s straight man roles.

This stage dynamo plays all the female roles as diverse as the spirit of Mother Teresa, a Vanna White-style game show host, a sex addict and East Coast socialite directing an AIDS fundraiser.

“My favourite is Debra Moorhouse, a motivational speaker a la Tony Robbins. She’s bigger than life. She has audiocassettes and sells merchandise. She spouts wisdom, but has really bad advice,” Wenshclag said.

In all Wenschlag is responsible for eight characters outlining a costume parade of 11 outfits, some that are freakishly fast.

“It’s more of a mental challenge than the physical challenge of costume changes. I have to remember different lines, different accents and the character switches are challenging.”

One of the most entertaining characters is a Joi-sey housewife who is attending her first Pride Parade in support of a transsexual son.

“The accent and over-the-top wig and sparkly dress is a blast.”

Encased in the script are a series of themes including the importance of living life to the fullest.

“It’s going to be a balance of a good night of laughs and it will start conversations about important topics. Basically we are making it as entertaining as we can and you’ll be laughing so much you won’t realize you’re thinking.”