Let me begin by saying that I feel so incredibly privileged to be given this forum to share the Quad Cities’ theatre scene with WVIK’s listeners. Since I began these reviews last May I have been astounded by the wealth of talent that exists here, the most recent of which is the show now running at what is fast becoming my favorite venue, The Mockingbird on Main . Their current production is Anywhere but Here by local playwright, actor, and full-time costume designer for Circa 21, Bradley Robert Jensen, and is an intimate examination of the dynamics between openly gay son, Billy, and his uber-conservative parents, Bill and Amanda, while quarantining with them during the pandemic.
This dramedy is the multi-talented Jensen’s initial foray into playwriting and is brilliant and subtle and REAL, no doubt largely because it is informed by Jensen’s own experience. While somewhat autobiographical, the central message of the play, per his program notes, is that “There is space between opinions, beliefs, morals, and family and loved ones who believe differently…but often love resides not in one end or the other, but in the space in between.” The chord that reverberates most loudly throughout this work is this family’s struggle with the difference between acceptance and affirmation, or the lack of it. These parents love their son deeply but wrestle to affirm a lifestyle they don’t and can’t understand.
Leading off this cast in the pivotal role of Billy is the highly accomplished Adam Cerny. He masterfully treads the delicate tightrope so many gay adult children walk. He nails Billy’s genuine love for his parents as he tries to, gently at first, make them aware of his inner pain but then erupts into a volcanic and impassioned appeal to be confirmed for who he really is and, of course, conveniently does it at Thanksgiving dinner – which, by the way, is the most authentic representation of a major family dinner I’ve ever seen on stage.
Taking on the role of Billy’s childhood neighbor, best friend, and confidant, Mikayla, is Gillian Kean McMahon. Both she and Billy are vastly more liberal than their parents, which is the basis of their enduring bond and her portrayal is spot on.
Ashly Hoskin and Jim Harris, both new to Mockingbird’s stage, strongly portray the utterly conflicted parents, Amanda and Bill, and evoke both sympathy and exasperation with their respective responses to their son’s sexuality.
Another strong performance as Mikayla’s mother, Veronica, is brought in by Emmalee Hillburn. Her ultra giddy persona provided just the right amount of levity to break the tension between Billy and his parents.
Kudos also go out to Savannah Bay Strandin for scenic design and maximum use of space in this extremely intimate venue by expanding the playing area into the audience. The intimacy of this venue only serves to enhance the intimacy of this highly sensitive subject.
Anywhere but Here continues at The Mockingbird on Main, 320 North Main Street in Davenport , Friday and Saturday, March 31 and April 1 at 8:00 p.m.
And, by the way, Jensen says this is still a work in progress, so you may not see exactly the show I saw, but you will see an exemplary production.