Next Fall by Geoffrey Nauffts

by Geoffrey Nauffts

In this Tony-nominated play, Adam and Luke are long-term partners with very different views on salvation. But when Luke is hospitalized in a tragic accident, Adam must come face-to-face with Luke's faith and his family. Starring members of the original Broadway cast. An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance Breen as AdamMaddie Corman as HollyPatrick Heusinger as LukeSam Mcmurray as ButchJeremy Webb as BrandonJulie White as ArleneDirected by Bart DeLorenzo. Recorded by L.A. Theatre Works before a live audience at the James Bridges Theater, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television in January, 2012.

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Drama, Queer, LGBT

Paperback

First published December 7, 2010

Reviews

[Kenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I may be the only person who doesn’t love this script. It tries to be all things to all people and throws in every stock caricature from gay versus Christians along the way right down to the self loathing gay christian ~~ who it just happens is into black men and leather ...

It’s comfortable without really challenging anyone along the way. And to top it off we’re beaten over the head with the lead actor’s name being ADAM. MEH.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5: I enjoyed that several different perspectives were shared, all through flawed characters trying to love each other, sometimes doing it well and sometimes not. I also appreciated the portrayal of several Christian characters that showed authentic joy and hope in their faith.

[Varun Kainth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clash of perspectives from religion and science's high altars. I found it funny yet a definite tear jerker. The structure was non-linear, however far from confusing. I have rarely come across such a conflicted character in a play (Luke) though Adam gets the best punches😂

[Si Squires-Kasten · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty boring, not really objectionable. Probably would be three stars if Nauffts hadn't kept referencing Our Town. We get it, Wilder was closeted and Christian, but just because you like a good play doesn't make your play good by association.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too didactic, the characters are flimsy as cardboard and exist only to have conversations where Nauffts treats a number of razor-sharp debate topics like a lazy game of intellectual badminton.

[del blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the live recording on hoopla and I honestly couldn’t recommend it more. Incredible performances, and the “lung lady” monologue broke me into a million pieces. I’m really glad I listened to it.

[Gabriel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing is as homophobic as gay men writing about gay men.

[winn spector · Rating 4 out of 5]

cried!

[Daniel Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny but ultimately very somber look at faith and relationships. There is no true 'answer' at the end - what is faith? Which faith is 'right?' and how does that faith affect us and those around us?

It's biting, satirical, modern and very humorous, despite its subject.

I helped direct a production of this at the local theater and its small cast makes it such an intimate experience when viewed, but reading it provides some interesting moments of reflection as well.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nauffts may very well have taken this play from every relationship I've been in and every fear I've ever had. There are beautiful moments of humor between all the punches to the gut, and those keep you going back for more.

"Next Fall" is an important play for a time when people are still debating the validity of a gay relationship and its right to be recognized as a marriage.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly groundbreaking, but this play is both funny and heartbreaking. Despite the fact that the two main characters at times feel like ones we've seen many times before (gay guy who can't/won't come out to his family, neurotic and hypochondriac new york jewish man) they are given enough depth and contradictions to feel mostly real.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been meaning to read this for awhile. A guy I know is going to be in a local Metro Detroit production so he sent me the script to read.

Geoffrey Nauffts has written a remarkable play about love, faith and how it plays into LGBT relationships. The play irritated me and moved me. I can't wait to see it staged.

[evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this play a lot. I liked that the author has notes that it has to be played it hour preaching one side is right over the other, it really wouldn't work otherwise. Unfortunately it doesn't have much of an ending, and I'm afraid audiences will think it sort of just ends... rather than having an ending.

[StorytellerMg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam and Luke are committed partners with contrasting beliefs about religion and confront an unexpected crisis when Luke fis injured. The emotional journey of this play truly shook me to my core. 'Next Fall' is a poignant and exquisite exploration of love, sorrow, and resilience. As the tears subside, I find myself profoundly moved and, despite the heartache, strangely uplifted.

[Nick K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this play more than I thought I would. It was well written and thoughtful. The characters were full and the tension was high. I guess I'm just kind of tired of LGBTQ love stories filled with tragedy and sadness. Never the less it's a great story that deserves to be heard.

[Glynnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

So beautiful and sad - cannot WAIT to see this production in Charlotte.

[Hallie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very touching and smart play, enjoyable read. I was tempted to give it 5 stars but I held back until I see it in production.

[Dave Logghe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible play. I was very taken with it. A very fair look at a group of people who are very different from each other, told in a well-structured past/present format.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suspect this plays much better than it reads. There were several places were I lost track of who was speaking and had to go back and reread.

Challenging content. Interesting play.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. How do we stay together when we are fundamentally divided? Smart and poignant.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it took a few scenes to get going, but this proved to be pretty funny and smart and more challenging than I thought

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I missed something but a bit overwrought…