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The cast of ‘Octopus,’ which premieres at Actor’s Express Jan. 24. (Photo by
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‘Octopus’
Jan. 24 - Feb. 23
Actor’s Express, 887 W. Marietta St.
404-607-7469
www.actorsexpress.com
‘The Drowsy Chaperone’
Jan. 22-27
Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE
404-817-8700
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HOME > SOVO SCENE > THEATER
By: DYANA BAGBY
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Over the years, local playwright Steve Yockey has proven to be anything but a cookie-cutter writer. His latest drama, “Octopus,” which sees its world premiere at Actor’s Express next week, promises to continue that tradition.
Described as “a love story rendered through a postmodern gay lens,” “Octopus” follows the aftermath of a sexual encounter between two gay male couples. Twenty-somethings (Joe Sykes and Tony Larkin) invite over an older couple (John Benzinger and Mitchell Anderson) for sex. The night proves fateful, and the aftermath involves issues from health and jealousy to a mysterious telegram delivery boy and a hungry sea monster.
Yockey says “Octopus” is a natural progression for him.
“Each play lets me be a little more daring as I approach the next one,” he says.
In “Octopus,” Yockey works through his thoughts about fidelity, sex and how gays are responding to HIV 25 years into the pandemic in the U.S.
“This was the perfect platform because more than anything, I love to explore a kind of stark realism colored with fantastic elements,” he says. “‘Octopus’ is no exception, beginning in naturalism and essentially descending into the realm of fable by the end.”
Yockey admits people often describe his work as dark.
“That’s absolutely true of a lot of my stuff, but I try to lace the darkness with humor and cut it with the promise of some kind of rescue, even if that salvation is somewhat unconventional,” he says.
Out director Kate Warner helms “Octopus,” the sixth collaboration between the writer and director.
Warner calls “Octopus” a “love story, a modern story with mythic elements.
“It’s sexy and tackles a big subject in a new way on a human scale,” she says. “I love what the play says about compassion and the work that it takes to pay attention to achieve and maintain real human connection.”
Yockey also relishes the chance to work with Anderson, the local gay actor known for the movie “Relax…It’s Just Sex” and the TV show “Party of Five.”
“I feel very lucky that Mitchell embraced the script,” Yockey says. “I can’t imagine anyone else originating [the character of] Andy. He’s doing some exquisitely specific work in a role that has some interesting challenges.”
Also making its local debut this week, the five-Tony-winning “The Drowsy Chaperone” features a lonely musical theater junkie, referred to only as “Man in Chair.” The character’s favorite show is a ‘20s musical called “Drowsy Chaperone,” and to ease his boredom, he envisions that the musical actually comes alive.
Gay actor Kevin Crewell is part of the ensemble and says that “Chaperone” has a major gay sensibility.
“‘Man in Chair’ has a strong affinity for one of the guys in the show, and he also especially likes the fact that the lead actress has the ability to say and do what she feels,” says Crewell, who regards himself as a musical theater junkie as well.
“I know all the obscure stuff out there, but this is the first time I’ve seen an original show in a while,” he says. “There is really nothing like it around.”
The actor was in the touring version of “Spamalot” in Atlanta last year. He jokes that gay representation in that show’s cast and crew was only about 20 percent, but “Drowsy Chaperone” is about “50/50,” he says.
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