Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Miami Herald - October 12, 2002
Marta Barber, mbarber@herald.com
For the Public Theatre, the Fort Lauderdale company opening its 15th season, the comedy mirrors its struggles. With South Florida's large gay population, Jeffrey is a "safe" choice of material, much as safe sex is for Jeffrey, the New York Don Juan.
Unfortunately, the choice is better than the production, which falters due to a cast that's adequate at best and untalented at worst and that never gels.
The play opens with a bedroom scene, with moans and groans suggesting two people having sex. Soon, Jeffrey (Skyler McGee) comes out from under the covers and declares an end to his sex life.
Slowly, as in one of those little-car clown skits in the circus, up to six more men emerge and, lastly, a woman, which draws the most laughter from a mostly gay audience.
To channel his sexual energy, Jeffrey joins a gym, a move as wise as a diabetic's going to work at a Hershey factory. When he meets Steve (Greg Harrison) there, he considers giving up his vow of celibacy.
But Steve's revelation that he is HIV positive scares Jeffrey, an advocate of nonsafe sex.
Rudnick, in a way, ridicules celibacy, as Jeffrey struggles with his decision, but Jeffrey also brings to the table a gay man's inner debate about refusing love when that love can lead to death. And Rudnick does it all with comedic flair.
It's a flair that director Bryan Addleman doesn't capture. As Jeffrey, McGee appears too young to have had the time to bed 5,000 men, though Jeffrey says he started at 14. McGee is better when he addresses the audience, but his scenes with Harrison's Steve are devoid of emotional connection.
The fault may lie with Harrison, an actor as stiff as a steel beam, whose delivery is accentuated by roving eyes and brief sighs. The rest of the cast is just adequate, except for a pair of third-tier roles that give the evening its only special moments. Robert Tamayo as Man No. 1 and Lindsley Casey as Woman, in their multiple roles, brighten the stage as actors who take their comedy seriously.
IF YOU GO "Jeffrey" is at the Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre, 640 Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; through Oct. 28; 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; $20; 954-427-0784.
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