Now Reading
Vintage Theatre Gets “Unmarried In America”

Vintage Theatre Gets “Unmarried In America”

THE TIMELY AND DRAMATICALLY RELEVANT production of UnMarried in America is truly a must see — even for those non-theatergoers out there. A poignant, beautiful, and sobering reminder that our battle for full marriage equality is not over serves as the backdrop of the latest Vintage Theatre production. Though Colorado is only one of 37 states to have won the war, the play reminds us that there are still many of our fellow warriors out there fighting the good fight.

This is a show everyone can appreciate.

Playwright Kristin (K.D.) Carlson was inspired to pen the masterpiece after reading the Proposition 8 trial transcripts. She explained that Proposition 8, known informally as Prop 8, was a confusingly written California ballot proposition and a state constitutional amendment on same-sex marriage. The amendment passed in 2008 and when the state courts affirmed the amendment, two couples filed a lawsuit against the initiative. The ensuant case transcripts is from whence Carlson drew her inspiration.

“I was sitting in a coffee shop in Glenwood Springs, poring over the trail and the more I read, the more I wanted to learn,” she notes. “When I first started reading the trail, I was most inspired by all of the testimonies.”

Those very testimonies gave life to Carlson’s UnMarried in America, which lead to its first stage reading at Colorado Mountain College in September of 2011, and then again in January of 2012 at Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House. From there, the piece gained unsurprising momentum and was staged at the Colorado Community Theatre Coalition Festival in Salida, where it won nine awards, including Best Ensemble, Best Director, and the People’s Choice Award. In March 2013, the play was staged at Thunder River Theatre Company and then advanced to the national American Association of Community Theatre competition that June at the Tarkington Center in Carmel, Indiana. There, it won four additional awards — more than any other play in the competition.

Artistic Director Craig Bond, of the Vintage Theatre in Aurora, took notice, adding the play to the 2015 season lineup. “After listening to and watching a one-hour version of the script, I knew I wanted to produce the play in its entirety,” Bond says. “This play spoke to my heart and will resonate with many people on many levels.”

Gay marriage and this very moment in time will go down in the history books as a major shift in equality for all LGBT families. As support for full marriage equality marches “down the aisle” and across this amazing state and nation, UnMarried in America will forever hold a place in history as a reminder of what was once merely a dream of equal rights for the gay community.

Artfully executed, UNMarried in America is an intriguing concept for the stage, a play that puts its audience in the action of the actual Prop 8 hearings. Her work moves through the court of law and — simultaneously — through the court of public opinion.

UnMarried in America 2015 Vintage Theatre

Through an angular approach, the story is told through the eyes of the court reporter and stenographer, played by the masterful Julie Wolf Butters. She sits at what seems to be a kitchen table as the play opens … or is it Dad’s old beater-car? (You’ll have to see the show to understand that non-spoiler.) She and her selfish, illiberal boyfriend, played by Tom Auclair, are discussing the case, and throughout the play she shares her empathetic revelations garnered from listening to and transcribing everyone’s testimonies. Maintaining variety throughout her artistic rhythm, Carlson gives us testimonies from the witness stand, and moves her audience through others via flashback vignettes.

Wendy Moore, who’s been with the production from the outset, directs most (if not all) of the stage shows — and if practice makes perfect, it shows. The play is extremely well cast. Zach Nick plays the lost, young, and very mindful preacher’s son, trying to fit in and find his way. Dan Kopper, the preacher, is his tyrannical and pious father. Suzanna Wellens plays the doting ignorant Mom to a convincing, endearing degree.

The cast of nine take on multiple roles throughout the play, with subtle costume changes to help differentiate the characters. It’s important to say that a few of character-shifts are very impressive but (to avoid spoiling it for anyone), I’ll just say that Gina’s mother, Gary’s wife, and the Lutheran priest were very, very well done.

Kelly Uhlenhopp plays Karen, the mother of two biological children from a previous “legally recognized” marriage, who now lives unmarried, but happy with her life partner Gina, who is played by the talented Missy Moore.

Christian Munck plays an instantly loveable Chet, and his partner Gary, a somewhat stubborn outer-shell kinda guy, is played by Jeff Jesmer. Jesmer has some very meaningful and memorable moments throughout the play — especially in the second act.

Well done all around, cast and crew. It’s worth repeating: This show really is a must see!

PS: My favorite scene is the folding laundry scene, probably because it reminds me so much of my own relationship. Go see the show and let me know if you agree.

UnMarried in America plays at the Vintage Theatre through June 21.

For tickets, visit VintageTheatre.com.

What's Your Reaction?
Excited
0
Happy
0
In Love
0
Not Sure
0
Silly
0
Scroll To Top