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Regional Reviews: Washington, D.C. The Inheritance, Part One Also see Susan's review of Damn Yankees
Lopez has used E.M. Forster's 1910 novel "Howards End" as a template to examine the lives of a group of gay male friends from the late 1980s to the present–also including Forster, a gay icon who had to stay publicly quiet in his time, as a character (Robert Sella, identified by the author's middle name Morgan) offering advice and support to the other characters. While Forster drew the characters in his novel from three different social strata, Lopez considers the societal implications of gay men living openly without widespread social condemnation, as observed by Morgan. (Two men can marry each other? They can hire a woman to bear a child for them to raise? Incredible!) They are also living in the shadow of AIDS and working to hold on to their progress as U.S. politics turn more conservative. Sella also plays Walter Poole, the gentle longtime partner of businessman Henry Wilcox (Robert Gant), whose sumptuous weekend home in upstate New York becomes key to the plot. While it's difficult to single out members of the hardworking cast, almost all of whom play multiple roles, the standouts are Sella, gracious, world-weary, and unendingly kind; Adam Ross as Toby Darling, an aspiring playwright; and Jordi Bertran Ramirez as Adam McDowell, a young actor who becomes Toby's muse. Scenic designer Lee Savage has crafted a deceptively bland-looking set–the off-white façade of the house, a raised round platform in the foreground–that becomes whatever the characters need it to be. (Sometimes Kelly Colburn's projections include written notes announcing the year and location of the current scene, while at other times they set the atmosphere.) Frank Labovitz has created diverse and character-defining costumes, while Colin K. Bills' lighting design and the sound design by Uptownworks help conjure up the succession of locations. Note to the audience: Because the play depicts sexual situations and includes nudity, audience members will receive stickers to block their cellphone cameras. The stickers are easy to remove following the performance. The Inheritance, Part One runs through November 2, 2025, at Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda MD. For tickets and information, please call 240-644-1100 or visit www.roundhousetheatre.org. By Matthew Lopez Cast: (in alphabetical order) |
