Jake Brunger Brings PRIDE & Sharp Eyes to Gay Couples

by Barry David Horwitz

There’s more than one way to love, says Jake Brunger in his witty, British comedy “Four Play.” In his brilliant, play, in the great tradition of British romantic comedy, he shows us two gay couples—four guys—who are off the charts funny!

The scenario is simple—one guy wants to test his seven-year relationship by having sex with someone new. His name is Rafe (hilarious Aaron Orpilla), and he wants to have his cake and eat it, too. He harangues the quiet, accepting Pete (intriguing Louel Señores) to join him in the experiment. Rafe can be insistent and annoying—you know he will get his way.

Rafe’s intense desire to manipulate Pete strikes comic gold, as he sets up a “sexperiment” contract with their friend Michael (delightful Michael Conner). Thoughtful Michael ruminates and negotiates some rules, but we know the “sexperiment” will bite them in the ass!

So, first Rafe and then Pete will each have sex, separately, with their friend Michael. No gruesome threesome for Rafe—the illusion of equal but separate haunts him. Rafe busily sets up impossible rules–dehumanizing the sexual experience.

One terrible rule is that Michael cannot tell HIS boyfriend Andrew (volatile Kazimir Valtchev) about their secret. Surprise—that does not work as planned. The complications are worthy of Liasons Dangereuses and the whole affair leads to nuclear upheaval in the four guys’ relations. Of course, I’m not going to kiss and tell—I leave that for you to find out onstage at the JT Presents production at Theatre Rhinoceros.

Producer Joe Talley brings Unger, a popular British playwright, to our western shores for the first time. The scene has been changed from the UK to SF, so these guys could be our neighbors—we wish. Director Alejandro Torres sets a fast pace for the crackling wit that expresses four incompatible views of love. Rafe wants to find out what’s beyond sweet Pete. He runs circles around passive Pete until the unthinkable happens–don’t miss it!

Meanwhile loveable Pete is discovering more sides of himself as fall-out—and Señores handles it with bravado and sheer will—in a masterclass of transformation. It’s fun to watch him as he undermines Rafe. Goodbye monogamy.

But different guys have different needs. Michael, who seems to be the attractive object of the other guys’ attention turns into a highly desired object. His attentions surpass the price of gold—but does he care? Michael, the love object, waxes philosophical about open marriage and loyalty. He breaks new ground with thoughtful humor.

Finally, we have Andrew who surprises us with anger and vulnerability. Andrew flies off like a rogue planet. The results amuse and amaze—breaking new territory in amor, polyamory, and resentment. This comedy delivers laughs and new concepts. We see the problems of two couples, who can make or break their partners. Maybe that’s the point of experiment—to test and prove your love.

Watch the sexperimenter—he has secrets hidden even from himself. Rhino’s “Four Play” repays with laughter and sweet thoughtfulness. “Four Play” is well worth seeing a second time!

 

“Four Play” by Jake Brunger, directed by Alejandro Emmanuel Torres, produced by JT Presents, at Theatre Rhinoceros, 4229 18th St. in The Castro, in San Francisco. Info: therhino.org – to July 7, 2024.

Cast: Kazimir Valtchev, Michael Conner, Aaron Orpilla, and Louel Señores.

Banner photo: Michael Conner, Aaron Orpilla, Louel Señores, & Kazimir Valtchev. Photos by Scott Sidorsky