The Cabaret Company presents
I HAVE AIDS!
Written and Directed by Sky Gilbert
Starring Gavin Crawford, Ryan Kelly & David Yee
April 22 – May 3 @ Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
By Daina Valiulis
I HAVE AIDS! is a play about a character, Prodon (Gavin Crawford), who discovers he has the AIDS virus and tracks his coming to terms with it in five stages: denial, anger (lots and lots of anger), partying, religious conversion, and finally, acceptance.
This piece was only so-so. Maybe I was exhausted from a long and difficult week, but I just couldn’t get into it. It was steeped in inside jokes — for example, how stupid straight people are and how pathetic the men who write to fab magazine are, which was great for the gay male audience, but kind of alienating for those of us not readily familiar with the ins and outs of gay culture.
There were some funny moments in the first act. It’s difficult dealing with an AIDS diagnosis, but most of the action centred on Prodon’s one-dimensional anger at the world. His constant whiny ranting was a turn-off.
The second act got better. As he begins to come to terms with the facts, Prodon softens and reveals more of his personality traits: surprising compassion, responsibility, and glimmers of understanding (still mostly couched in selfishness). His plight becomes more sympathetic, and there’s some insight as to how it affects Vidor (David Yee), his lover. When their perspectives come to blows, it’s very real and true from both sides.
If only the play had ended there. Instead, it closed with a speech about how “the world has forgotten about us.” Gay men (with AIDS) have been shunned, misunderstood, and now forgotten in favor of the “cute African children” becoming the virus’ representatives. The world sees them and donates money; it supports them.
I reacted strongly to the blame and resentment fueling this idea. Granted: it’s not front-page news anymore. But neither is the environment, nor will the economy be once it becomes less of an immediate threat. These topics are not any less important than the topic du jour. There will always be a new world crisis in the media focus. Sky Gilbert has set up Prodon’s whole journey to illustrate that gay male AIDS victims have been forgotten, and it’s sad and maddening. I don’t think that’s fair or true. I’m sure AIDS is just as difficult, perhaps even more so, for children who live in a country where health care is a distant dream. Instead of being so political, the piece may have been more effective if it had focused on Prodon and Vidor’s relationship. When the focus was there, the play succeeded. It had more heart.
Ryan Kelly’s performance redeemed the show. He played a different character in each scene: a meek public health official; a raging, coke-snorting tranny nurse; and an effeminate, insecure, charming (balding) gay man. He was hilarious, touching, truthful, and graceful, and a pleasure to watch in action.
Bottom line: see this show if it sparks your interest. It’s not a bad show, it’s just a little too preachy. For what it’s worth, however, message received. I have not and will not forget you.
