Epic’s Bootycandy Is Funny and Irreverent

EPIC Theatre Company’s latest production is a real treat.

Bootycandy is directed by EPIC’s artistic director, Kevin Broccoli. The provocative, comical play, which spotlights members of one southern black community’s views toward homosexuality, was written by Robert O’Hara.

Set between the 1970s and present day, it stars Cardryell Truss as Sutter, a teenage (gay, but not 100% out of the closet) man whose mother and stepdad (played by Michelle L. Walker, Tiffany Fenton and Jason Quinn) don’t quite approve of — or even acknowledge — their son’s sexuality. When Sutter tells them that a man has been following him home from the library, the adults both blame Sutter. His stepfather urges him to take up sports, like wrestling, and to bend at the knees when he picks things up (lol!).

All five actors portrayed several characters throughout this decades-spanning, hand puppet-employing (oh yes [briefly]) play. Cast members each gave solid performances and worked well together. Some of the highlights included Quinn’s virile portrayal of Reverend Benson, a charismatic preacher who reveals a personal secret while preaching to his congregation. Quinn’s booming staccato contrasted with the feminine wear — “Rocky Horror”-esque glittery accessories included — that he unveiled beneath his clergy robe.

That particular scene (the play’s opener) stood out to me as well for how engaging it was. If you’re unfamiliar with the Artists’ Exchange (Cranston), where the play is running, I should note that the space is rather intimate. The setup of this church scene places much of the audience right in the church pews. This means that they are privy to not just the Reverend’s spirited sermon, but also the equally hilarious (and supportive) callouts of his congregants, including Sutter (“Get em!”).

Justin Pimentel, who played Clint, Roy and others, transitioned between characters ultra smoothly, changing from a faux-confident, bi-curious “straight” guy into a potential mugging victim alla Ed Norton speaking with and without a stammering stutter in Primal Fear (if you haven’t seen that ‘96 flick, check it out) without missing a beat.

If anything, the only people who may struggle to keep up with Bootycandy’s ever-changing times, roles and logistics (in addition to the puppets, there is also a “play-within-a-play” storyline, for instance) may be audience members. But that’s actually a good thing. It speaks to the complexity of the play’s setting and its characters’ opinions on being gay. This makes the production fresh, exciting and even a bit enlightening. And its overall tone is irreverently, subversively funny.

EPIC Theatre’s Bootycandy runs through October 21 at Theatre 82, 82 Rolfe Square, Cranston.