It’s 1993 in Providence. A gang leader from Harlem lands at his ex-girlfriend’s apartment in the middle of the night — wounded, on the run, with nowhere else to go. Despite his dire circumstances, he’s disgusted by her roommate — a grieving, white gay man into drag who’s not in the mood for the interloper’s toxic masculinity. Neither is about to back down from a fight. Set against the dual epidemics of AIDS and drug violence, Don Mays’ world premiere is a fierce, comical, yet deeply human story of two men the world treated as disposable (showcasing the complexities of their backgrounds, while they’re certain they have nothing in common), a close friend dying of AIDS, and the woman at the center of them all who sees them for exactly who they are. It’s the classic sitcom premise, if sitcoms were adulterated with trauma, existential dread and societal abandonment.
The Wilbury Theatre Group opens their new season with the world premiere of Same Difference, involving grave events taking place over the course of one night, with tensions stacking higher than a platform shoe. It’s like watching a high-concept fever dream, where Mays reconciles existential dread with the logistical reality of pulling off such an important piece. The narrative wanes a bit under the weight of its message at times, but Mays adroitly exposes the dark humor tucked into the tragic, keeping the tone from collapsing into despair. It’s honest in its urgency, encouraging our imagination while emphasizing its resonation with present societal issues.
“Same Difference takes place against two crises reshaping lives in the early 1990s — gang violence and AIDS. The play doesn’t pretend those experiences are the same. It does ask what happens when we decide some lives matter less than others, and it asks that question in a Providence many of us lived through but almost never saw represented on the stage,” explains Wilbury’s Artistic Director Josh Short.
“That’s one of the reasons I wanted us to do this play now,” adds Short. “I’m grateful to Don for sharing with us the story he’s carried with him for nearly three decades, and to this cast and creative team for taking it on with such care. Peter Neivert’s generosity, in honor of Arthur Richter, made this world premiere possible.”
This cast is so fused together, you sense the set is held together by sheer willpower. Ja’Quan Malik Jones as Alley Cat and Rosalyn Tavarez as Brenda slam dunk lines with strained intensity, having carried a decade’s worth of emotional baggage on their shoulders. Alex LeBlanc as Joel delivers defiance that provides the production’s best sparks, ensuring the character never devolves into martyrdom.
Deploying dynamic and explosive energy, Henry Nwaru mesmerizes as Stephon with endearing use of flamboyant comedy, fleshing out this pressure cooker of a world with varying degrees of punch and poise. Noah Martinez as Aaron, and Carlin Fournier as Todd, adeptly speak louder with actions than via any lines delivered.
The production moves at a tight clip, ensuring scene transitions are as painless as possible. Jason Sall’s scenic design magically maximizes the bi-level stage into three separate rooms including a cramped apartment, a nightclub and a hospital room, with creative use of the spaces. The action is multi-focused, so at every moment you can check in on players in other rooms.
When fists fly, Brien Lang’s fight choreography keeps the action looking dynamic without anyone in the front rows accidentally taking a stray elbow. Andy Russ helms the lighting and sound design, bathing the stage in moody, atmospheric hues while firing audio cues that heighten the pulsating paranoia in the air. Dustin Thomas’ costume design accurately captures the aesthetic of 1993.
Wilbury’s Same Difference proves once again that where there’s a dark corner of mortal suffering with adversity to be lit, Wilbury will happily haul out a spotlight. Steeped in drama, this production might not be a cozy encounter, but Wilbury isn’t about comfort. This is sharp, unapologetic, and uncomfortable enough to warrant grabbing a drink at their bar before being seated.
Wilbury presents Same Difference through October 11. This production includes simulated gunfire, and one 15-minute intermission. For more information, visit thewilburygroup.org