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Dance your way to Burbank Auditorium

Kevin Skahan, News Editor
Published: October 8, 2009

Was “Honest Abe” not so honest about his sexuality? SRJC’s latest theatre arts production couldn’t care less. They’d rather put on a “Big Gay Dance Party” with the “Great Emancipator” instead.

“Abraham Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Party” is one of the most over the top and challenging productions SRJC’s Theatre Arts Department has ever put on. Its out-of-this-world characters demolish the fourth wall with constant audience interaction, while giving the audience complete control over the order in which the acts are played out.

Each actor also has a lot more on their plate than in most plays, as they have more than one character’s lines to memorize. With an on-the-fly production like this, there are so many things that can go wrong. The actors and production crew have to be ready for anything the audience throws at them.

No matter what order the plot unravels, it starts and ends the same way. During the prologue, Rosie Frater, who plays the elementary school teacher Harmony Green, ingeniously incorporates the setting in Burbank Theater’s customary house rules announcements. She tells the audience to turn their phones off for her fourth grade Menard Elementary class’ Christmas pageant, “Santa Receives a Presidential Pardon.”

It’s hilarious seeing 20 somethings act like 9-year-olds. They fumble onto the stage dressed as our first presidents and say their lines with little kid voices. When Abraham Lincoln introduces himself and mentions he shares a bed with another fellow, all hell breaks loose. The angry parents in the crowd shut the pageant down and force the principal to fire Green.

This sparks Green’s involvement in the play’s main event, “the trial of the century” Viewers get to see the trial through the three main characters’ eyes: the prosecuting attorney, the defense attorney and the big time reporter.

While complete audience control is a unique approach, the play can feel a little disjointed if you have a technical mind. On opening night, one of the main characters died during the first scene and the following scene was that character’s point of view. You have to allow yourself to not be so literal and be in the moment to enjoy the play.

The cast could pass for a professional theater troupe. They managed to stay in character throughout this ridiculous romp. Somehow A.J. Aspell, who plays a Washington policy maker, was able to keep a straight face while saying, “Abraham Lincoln liked the occasional log in his cabin.”

The actors went to great lengths researching their roles. Aspell prepared for his role by getting in touch with his “inner jackass.” Raena Jones studied videos about political figures to capture their persona for her role as a defense attorney.

Beneath the hilarity, “Abraham Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Party” delivers a strong message about acceptance, prejudice and betrayal.

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