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Questa
By Victor Bumbalo
Directed by Madrid St. Angelo
Produced by People’s Theater of Chicago
At The Heartland Studio
7016 N. Glenwood Ave.
Chicago, IL
Call 773-371-1868, tickets $25 (www.peoplestheaterchicago.org )
Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 2 pm
Running time is 1 hour, 50 minutes with intermission
Through July 19, 2008
“It's the dead boy, he's doing this to us, making us wait for a moment that will never happen.” ---Daniel, about Lori's dead son.
Powerfully haunting drama about grief, guilt and redemption waits
Once again, theatre gems can be found at small storefront theaters. Under Madrid St. Angelo’s tight direction, Victor Bumbalo’s wonderful play, “Questa” makes its Midwest premiere at the tiny Heartland Studio Theatre in Roger’s Park. This intelligent drama is the story of seven damaged souls in search of serenity, love and redemption. It contains fine images that are truthfully played as it weaves a complex story set in contemporary New York City.
Paul (Andrew Kain Miller) is a 30something gay man who searches for sex in a dark alley behind a gay bar after the death of his lover. When a gay bashing young guy verbally and physically assaults him, his pent-up rage is unleashed as he fights back against his attacker killing him. He races to his enabling sister’s, Susan (Remy O’Brien), house. She comforts him. Susan is married to Nicholas—Paul’s ex-lover’s best friend. Nicholas resents Susan’s obsession with her brother Paul. 
Enter Daniel, the African-American street hustler who hangs out in the alley observing Paul’s sexual adventures. Since he is invisible to everyone, Daniel is the perfect narrator. Daniel witnesses the attack and, since he has silently fallen in love with Paul offers a bogus description to the police as to the boy’s attacker. Daniel vows to protect Paul as he follows him around NYC. Daniel also fulfills the role as the play’s conscience who probes spirituality, sexuality, suffering, and loss.
We meet Lori (Joan McGrath), the dead boy’s mother who feels guilt for the boy’s death as she finishes another sexual encounter with Father James (Boyd Harris). There is much of guilt between these two. Lori quickly begins to hate gays since one of them killed her boy so she vents on Richard (Steve Figg), her gay boss at the hair salon. When Paul, riddled with guilt for killing the boy, decides he needs to take action to redeem himself, he starts following Lori around town. Daniel, ever invisible, follows Paul. We see Paul bottom out from grief, guilt and after shock from his abstinence from alcohol. Paul eventually befriends Lori who quickly assumes that Paul was her son’s lover. Paul concurs not wanting to hurt Lori. He only wants to help Lori and redeem himself. Father James tries to comfort Lori as he also attempts to stop his sexual encounters with her. Father James confronts Paul wanting to protect Lori. I must not give away anymore plot elements.
Playwright Victor Bumbalo has weaved a complex, multilayered story richly filled with truthfully human characters. This intelligent drama deals aptly with homosexuality, addiction, incest, sin, penance, grief, guilt and redemption. All of the characters are damaged souls seeking love, serenity and self forgiveness. The power of urban loneliness and the need to love and be loved dominates. Filled with honest compassion, Questa is a journey that hones into the depths of each character as each struggles for redemption from their past.
I was totally engaged with this finely crafted gem. Seldom do you find a provocative new play with as much heart and depth as Questa. Andrew Kain Miller (Paul) and Joan McGrath (Lori) offered nice work. Cliff London, as Daniel, anchors the work with strong and, at times, humorous performance as the narrator. The eventual glimmer of hope in the resolution is testimony to the vibrancy of the human spirit. People’s Theater of Chicago offers rare Monday shows. Don’t miss this wonderful play.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008
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