''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 Joe Langworth (born July 19, 1966) is an American theater Theatre director, director, choreographer, casting director, singing, singer and dancer. Career From 1990 – 2005, Langworth appeared in a number of major Broadway musicals, including the ...

, 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 actress ...

in February, 2010.

Production history

''Next Fall'', produced by

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, 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 as Adam, Patrick Heusinger 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 on Broadway. 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

. Ben Brantley gave a rave in ''

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'', 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 Productions
staged at th
Southwark Playhouse
from 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 as Adam * Patrick Heusinger as Luke * Maddie Corman 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 ''I ...

as Arlene *

Cotter Smith Joseph Cotter Smith (born May 29, 1949) is an American stage, film, and television actor. Early life He was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Madeline (née Cotter) and John Lewis Smith, Jr., who was a federal judge. He graduated from the ...

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. Fol ...

* 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 *Outstanding New Broadway Play (nominated) *John Gassner Award – Geoffrey Nauffts (winner)

2013 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards

* Best Actor in a Play –

Josh Rhett Noble Josh Rhett Noble (born September 6, 1980) is an American stage, television, film and voice actor. Noble is best known for his role as Gaston in Disney's ''Beauty and the Beast'' in theaters across the country, various guest star roles in televisio ...

* 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