Courageous-Tarragon Theatre
So, a new year and a new play. “
Courageous”, by
Michael Healey , opens with a loud, funny, argument between Tammy (
Erin MacKinnon) and Lisa (
Melissa MacPherson) in City Hall. Tammy is about to marry Todd (
Brandon McGibbon). Lisa tells her friend that Todd is a two-timer. No matter, the wedding will go on, but a second witness is required. Arthur (
Maurice Dean Wint), sitting in the back row, is recruited. Arthur happens to be the boyfriend of Tom (
Tom Barnett), the City Marriage Officer officiating at the nuptials. In the next scene, Tom refuses to marry Brian (
Patrick Galligan) and Martin (
Tom Rooney) because it conflicts with his Roman Catholic beliefs.
Insert double take here: a gay man refusing to marry two other men because of his religion? Interesting. Brian happens to be a lawyer, and loges a suit against Tom for refusing to marry them. The scene where Brian and Tom try to find a resolution to their dispute before the Human Rights Board convenes is wonderful. Neither of these men thinks there’s a cost too high to pay for their principles.
There was so much to like about this examination of love, rights, and convictions. It was good to be reminded that this city (and this country) is an oasis of tolerance in a world where “90 percent of people would want us dead.” The actors were spot on, the dialogue eloquent and affecting. At intermission, I looked forward to seeing what developed.
Only, nothing did. After the break, Todd took to the stage and informed us that we’d seen the last of the characters from the first act. Now he would narrate his own story. WHAT? I thought this was some sort of joke, but it wasn’t. Todd, the poor idiot, is living with Tammy and their new baby, facing eviction at any moment. George (Maurice Dean Wint doing double duty) is a refugee from Somalia who got the apartment Todd and Tammy wanted, courtesy of the Federal Government. Todd is a funny slacker, totally confused by adult life that he sees largely as a matter of waiting for things. Most people, he thinks, not only deal with the crap of any given event but also with the unfairness of it all, a waste of time. His philosophy “is what the F---k!” Indeed.
Everyone is good in this play. What I don’t understand is why the playwright would present us with one act of a very good play, and then an act from another play? There isn’t enough weaving of theme or characters to make this work. I felt cheated, as if a waiter took away my plate before I was finished eating, deciding for me that I’d had enough. I’m still hungry for the second act! Where is it? Rats!
http://www.tarragontheatre.com/season/0910/courageous/
two acts, one intermission....or, two plays separated by one intermission.