An old mansion on Main Street, a bar and a narrow staircase comprise the backdrop of the intimate cabaret that houses the Buffalo United Artists' performance of Evan Smith's "Servicemen." Upon entrance to the theater space, the audience is transported to a world of lust and liqueur. In Gray and Cyn's world, reality and perception blur to create a buzzed outlook on life.
This twisting story follows the love lives of two people searching for their place in a world torn apart by World War II. Gray (Chris Kelly) and Cyn (Katie White) spend intoxicated days and nights flirting, drinking and wasting their attentions on one-night stands.
Cyn is a wife left unsatisfied after her husband is sent to the Pacific, and she looks for bodies to fill that void. Gray, also looking for temporary thrills to fill his own emptiness, uses alcohol and sex along with Cyn.
They do just fine with these methods until Gray receives notice that he might go to war. His disagreements with the moral issues of fighting force him to reveal his homosexuality to the war physicians. This revelation cause his disqualification from the service - which upsets neither Cyn nor Gray.
Able to continue their nights of debauchery, Cyn and Gray meet a young sailor, Si (Jay Cole) whom Gray decides to pursue. Gray persuades Si into a complex affair after which they embark on a sexual adventure. After some time, Si admits he has never been with a man or woman. What comes next is the unthinkable for Gray: Si confesses his love for him. Their affair is a whirlwind of role-playing and facades as each character attempts to satisfy loves that only seem to make the space in their hearts grow emptier.
Chris Kelly steals the stage with his performance of Gray; with his demanding presence and sexy attitude, he is perfect for this show. Kelly keeps the performance moving with a natural elegance that makes this show a fabulous, erotic journey through friendship, love, war and death.
Katie White constructs an elaborate portrayal of an alcoholic in shambles; her clever lines convey some of the best attitude the play has to offer. The love/hate relationship that evolves between Gray and Cyn brings them to extremes, exhibiting their best and most pathetic sides, which Kelly and White portray beautifully.
The young Jay Cole, making his debut in Buffalo theatre with BUA, is energetic but a little unsure of himself. Next to Kelly and White, he doesn't exude the same level of confidence; his facial expressions and sexual gestures seem hesitant and unnatural as he delivers lines that aren't clear or confident.
Although the actors easily held their own, their efforts were not matched by the bare and limited set. In some shows the absence of a robust set is necessary, but in this case, Cyn's lavish lifestyle was hard to imagine with the minimalist decorations.
Overall the story is confusing, twisted and exciting. It leaves the audience puzzled as to what just happened. BUA has done a great job putting on this fresh play; Buffalo is the first city to feature the play outside of New York. If you're looking for a night of passion, friendship, vulgarity, drinking, nudity, and tears this is the show for you.
"Servicemen" runs until Oct. 19 with performances only on Fridays and Saturdays with a curtain time of 8 p.m. The Upstairs Cabaret of BUA is located at 884 Main St. in Buffalo between Virginia and Allen Street. Tickets are $20 for the public and $10 for students. For ticket reservations, call 886-9239.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
