Signature Theatre’s All the World’s a Stage is a Quirky, Sympathetic, Hilarious and Genuine Musical
All the World’s a Stage showcases themes we unfortunately have become all too familiar with. Around the country extremist Christian dogma has threatened neighbors, communities, city councils and educators with gender ideology, book banning, shaming of LGBTQ+ students and teachers and targeting open-minded parents while politicizing school boards and communities, all based on personal and political opinions (n.b. Moms for Liberty). Who suffers from these polarizing, single issue-driven bullies? The kids.
An excellent 5-part series on PBS, Bucks County U. S. A.alerted me to its dangers and pervasiveness. In Adam Gwon’s musical, these themes are highlighted, but with a tender, funny story that demands we become our true selves.
Sam (Deema Turkomani) is a high school student with a troubled past. She’s loud, brash, whip-smart and trying to find her footing when she meets, Ricky Alleman (Kyle Sherman), the new math teacher at her high school. Sam is eager to win the State Thespians Contest prize of a college scholarship with her monologue. After cajoling Ricky into being her sponsor, they form a friendship based on their shared love of the gay AIDS-related play, Angels in America. To bone up on public speaking and find her muse, Ricky gives her a book of Shakespeare’s sonnets.
The twist is that Ricky, who is trying to fit into Valley High’s strict religious teachings, is gay, but not out. He’s trying to keep his job and hide his sexual orientation on the down low, at least until he meets and falls for Michael Hallett (Callum Francis), owner of a local bookstore that also sells gay books. Michael is footloose and fancy free as a gay man and tries to convince Ricky to be his true self. “Your people are out,” he tells him. “You’re brave and I’m a coward,” Ricky insists, aiming to keep his secret from “I don’t ask” Dede Rozenel (Erin Driscoll), the school’s front office supervisor and resident church lady with whom he has become great pals. Danger comes knocking when the school’s parents’ group discover what materials the bookstore is selling and want to fire Ricky.
The well-drawn characters are reminiscent of Armistead Maupin’s characters in his Tales of the City – quirky, sympathetic, hilarious and genuine – and you will fall in love every one of them and their perfect harmonies in this cleverly lyric-driven music. And not to fret, the ending is tied up neatly with a warm hug.
All the World’s a Stageshould be required viewing. Enjoy this fast-paced, madcap musical to your heart’s content!
Book, Music & Lyrics by Adam Gwon, Directed by Matthew Gardiner, Musical Direction by Marika Countouris, Scenic Design by Paige Hathaway, Costume Design by Shahrzad Mazaheri, Lighting Design by Max Doolittle, Sound Design by Eric Norris.
Through December 20th at Signature Theatre in Shirlington Village, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206. For tickets and information contact the box office at 703.820.9771 or visit www.SigTheatre.org.
