''Next Fall'' is a play written by
Geoffrey Nauffts Geoffrey, Geoffroy, Geoff, etc., may refer to:
People
* Geoffrey (name), including a list of people with the name
* Geoffroy (surname), including a list of people with the name
* Geoffrey of Monmouth (c. 1095–c. 1155), clergyman and one of the m ...
. The play is about two gay men in a committed relationship with a twist, with one, Luke, being devoutly religious and the other, Adam, an
atheist
Atheism, in the broadest sense, is an absence of belief in the existence of deities. Less broadly, atheism is a rejection of the belief that any deities exist. In an even narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there no ...
. The play revolves around their five-year relationship and how they make it work despite their differences. However, when an accident changes everything, Adam must turn to Luke's family for support and answers. The play, directed by
Sheryl Kaller with associate director
Joe Langworth, opened
off-Broadway
An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...
in 2009 before transferring to the
Helen Hayes Theater
The Hayes Theater (formerly the Little Theatre, New York Times Hall, Winthrop Ames Theatre, and Helen Hayes Theatre) is a Broadway theater at 240 West 44th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Named for actre ...
in February, 2010.
Production history
''Next Fall'', produced by
Naked Angels
''Naked Angels'' is a 1969 American outlaw biker film directed by Bruce D. Clark. Starring Michael Greene (actor), Michael Greene as Mother, Jennifer Gan as Marlene, and Richard Rust as Fingers, it provides an insider's perspective at the lifesty ...
, began performances
Off-Broadway
An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...
at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre on May 26, 2009 and opened to positive reviews June 3, 2009. The sold-out production, which was to close June 21, 2009, resulted in three extensions through Aug. 8, 2009. The cast for the off-Broadway production included
Patrick Breen
Joseph Patrick Breen (born October 26, 1960) is an American actor, screenwriter, and director.
Early life
Breen was born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 26, 1960.
Career
He has acted primarily on TV but has also appeared in numerous films, ...
as Adam,
Patrick Heusinger
Patrick Heusinger (born February 14, 1981) is an American actor, known for his roles on the television series ''Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce'', ''Gossip Girl'', ''Royal Pains'' and '' Absentia''.
Early life
Heusinger was born and raised in Jac ...
as Luke, Maddie Corman as Holly, Sean Dugan as Brandon, Connie Ray as Arlene, and Cotter Smith as Butch.
The off-Broadway production transferred to the
Helen Hayes Theatre
The Hayes Theater (formerly the Little Theatre, New York Times Hall, Winthrop Ames Theatre, and Helen Hayes Theatre) is a Broadway theater at 240 West 44th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Named for actres ...
on
Broadway
Broadway may refer to:
Theatre
* Broadway Theatre (disambiguation)
* Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
** Broadway (Manhattan), the street
**Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
. Previews began February 16, 2010 and the play officially opened on March 11, 2010. The entire off-Broadway cast replicated their roles on Broadway as did director Sheryl Kaller and associate director
Joe Langworth.
Ben Brantley
Benjamin D. Brantley (born October 26, 1954) is an American theater critic, journalist, editor, publisher and writer. He served as the chief theater critic for ''The New York Times'' from 1996 to 2017, and as co-chief theater critic from 2017 to ...
gave a rave in ''
The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
'', and called the play an "artful, thoughtful and very moving story".
Among its positive reviews, the show was named "the little play that could" by New York theater critic David Cote. It closed on July 4, 2010, after 26 previews and 132 regular performances.
The UK premiere of ''Next Fall'' was produced b
James Quaife Productionsstaged at th
Southwark Playhousefrom 24 September until 25 October 2014. The cast featured Charlie Condou, Nancy Crane,
Ben Cura
Ben Cura is an Argentine-born British actor, musician and director of film, television and theatre.
Early life
José Ben Cura was born in Buenos Aires, the son of Argentine tenor/conductor José Cura. When he was a year old, he moved to Santo ...
, Martin Delaney, Mitchell Mullen and Sirine Saba. The play was directed by Luke Sheppard with design by David Woodhead, Lighting design by Howard Hudson, Sound design by David Gregory and casting by Sophie Parrott.
The Australian premiere of Next Fall was at the Seymour Centre in Sydney in October 2016. The production ran for 4 weeks (19 performances) and was produced by Boyslikeme Productions. The cast included Cormac Costello as Butch, Mark Dessaix as Brandon, Alex Ewan as Luke, Victoria Greiner as Holly, Mary Anne Halpin as Arlene and Darrin Redgate as Adam. It was Directed by Andy Leonard, Designed by Irma Calibrese with Lighting Design by Steve Furzey. Melbourne and Adelaide seasons followed with local casts but with Darrin Redgate still at the helm.
Synopsis
Luke believes in God. Adam believes in everything else. "Next Fall" portrays the ups and downs of this unlikely couple’s five-year relationship with sharp humor and unflinching honesty. And when an accident changes everything, Adam must turn to Luke’s family and friends for support… and answers. "Next Fall" offers a picture of modern romance, asking questions about commitment, love, and faith.
Original Broadway cast
*
Patrick Breen
Joseph Patrick Breen (born October 26, 1960) is an American actor, screenwriter, and director.
Early life
Breen was born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 26, 1960.
Career
He has acted primarily on TV but has also appeared in numerous films, ...
as Adam
*
Patrick Heusinger
Patrick Heusinger (born February 14, 1981) is an American actor, known for his roles on the television series ''Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce'', ''Gossip Girl'', ''Royal Pains'' and '' Absentia''.
Early life
Heusinger was born and raised in Jac ...
as Luke
*
Maddie Corman
Maddie Corman (born Madeleine Cornman; August 15, 1970) is an American actress. She has appeared in over 25 films, including ''Seven Minutes in Heaven'', '' Some Kind of Wonderful'', ''The Adventures of Ford Fairlane'' and ''A Beautiful Day in th ...
as Holly
*Sean Dugan as Brandon
*
Connie Ray
Constance Ray (born July 10, 1956) is an American actress and playwright. Among her highest-profile appearances are ''Thank You for Smoking'' (2006) and ''Stuart Little'' (1999), and the television drama '' ER'' (1997). She also appeared in '' ...
as Arlene
*
Cotter Smith as Butch.
Awards and nominations
;2010
Drama Desk Awards
The Drama Desk Award is an annual prize recognizing excellence in New York theatre. First bestowed in 1955 as the Vernon Rice Award, the prize initially honored Off-Broadway productions, as well as Off-off-Broadway, and those in the vicinity. Fo ...
* Outstanding Play (nominated)
* Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play – Sean Dugan (nominated)
;2010
Tony Awards
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual cer ...
* Best Play (nominated)
* Best Direction of a Play – Sheryl Kaller (nominated)
;2010
Outer Critics Circle Awards
The Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on Broadway and Off-Broadway. They are presented by the Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of New York theater writers for out-of-town newspa ...
*Outstanding New Broadway Play (nominated)
*John Gassner Award – Geoffrey Nauffts (winner)
2013 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards
* Best Actor in a Play –
Josh Rhett Noble
* Best Actress in a Play – Elizabeth Casalini
* Best Direction of a Play – Jennifer Jones
References
External links
Official website for 2010 Broadway production of ''Next Fall''*
* {{IOBDB title
2010 plays
American plays
LGBT-related plays
Off-Broadway plays
Broadway plays