GayFest! presents Andrew Marvel's 'My Favorite Husbands'

Almost farce

The setup seems almost farcical, but director Rubin recognizes Marvel's deeper themes. Thomas-Robert Irvin plays Mark, a gay man. He and his boyfriend Tristan (Angel J. Sigala) are invited to the nuptials of Mark’s ex, Jonathan (Jeff Hunsicker). Jonathan is marrying gay Latino Republican Raul (Joel Guerrero), whose splashy New Jersey wedding will host right-wing Cubans and GOP dignitaries such as Chris Christie and Marco Rubio.

Knowing this, Mark decides to attend in a purple dress and curly blonde wig. "I refuse to be a prop for a Republican photo op!" he proclaims. "I don't want to look good. I want everyone to know that a tired, drunk, middle-aged drag queen has entered." Tristan insists he wear a tux, but Mark is resolute.

Meanwhile, Jonathan watches Raul freak out over the huge reception-seating chart, which includes foreign dignitaries, Republican celebrities, and even press. He complains, "It's like marrying the Pope."

The play stays intimate

We don't see the wedding and reception, but we enjoy hearing about Mark's effect afterward — though as outrageous as threatened, he discovers "everyone loves a drag queen." Marvel skillfully builds a new rift between Mark and Tristan, and brings honeymoon-bound Jonathan and Raul to their apartment on an errand vital to their marriage. What started as a quippy comedy builds to serious issues, and details about Jonathan and Mark's past threaten both couples.

While all four performers excel, Irvin leads the way, his large frame and booming voice a fun contrast with his wig, dress, and heels, and Marvel gives him all the best lines. His connection with Sigala's much younger Tristan feels genuine, as does the commitment between Jonathan and Raul.

GayFest! has never had the resources for elaborate productions, and must keep things simple because two plays run in each space. Chad Beguelin's Harbor runs in rep with My Favorite Husbands, and later this week Wolves and MMF alternate at the Drake. Christopher Haddad's set, Noah Lee's lighting, Grayce Hoffman's props, and John Hodges' costumes get the job done, and scene changes are quick.

My Favorite Husbands is a brisk 90-minute romantic comedy that airs issues both particular to gay marriage and universal to all whose past romantic entanglements threaten their present happiness.