The T Party, Company One, Roberts Studio Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts, through August 13. 617-933-8600 or bostontheatrescene.com
Diversity dances in high spirits all through the "The T Party." An interactive envelope-pusher set at a fictional Class of 1994 high school prom, this imaginative, often thoughtful if sometimes didactic Natsu Onoda Power play invites audience members to kick up their feet in its interactive pre-show as well as the prologue-like early going. The title transgender event can be seen as a way of throwing lack of representation overboard- ultimately not only for transitioning males and females but also for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and even cross-dressers. Trust fearless and pioneering Hub troupe Company One-notable for such eye-opening Hub premieres as the IRNE Award-winning "Brother/Sister Plays"-to provide Power with an auspicious opportunity to direct her own play and serve as a kind of clearing house for understanding.
A playbill headline promises, "Ain't No Party Like a Natsu Party," and Company One is not exaggerating. While inhibited prom committee members named David and Gigi try to restrict transgender students to bathrooms in an effort that would please North Carolina legislators and an announcement speaks of no (Kurt) Cobain or Tupac Shakur music, both the initial open dance segment and the play's wide-ranging scenes themselves champion diversity and individual dignity. Look for early intimations of those scenes. With kudos to costume designer Tyler Kinney, prom participants dressed as dolphins hang in corners and lesbian and transgender women show off flashy prom dresses. A bearded man named Matt proves more than mildly curious about a Save the Bears Club. A jock finds his girlfriend with another woman. Madonna's anthem-like "Vogue'' plays tellingly at a time when there is talk of a bathroom sign remodeling committee. Gender-bending reigns during the crowning of prom queen and prom king. Prom conversation includes moving reflections about being closeted or feeling support and love.
Once interacting audience members return to their seats on both sides of the prom court, Power's vivid scenarios play out as characters seek connection. OK Cupid explorers look for online dates-with some women looking for same-sex meetings. At one point there is male to male intimacy. The dolphin segment has its moments, though statistics in the text sometimes sound unsubtle and preachy. The theme from the sensual French straight romance film "Un homme et une femme" ("A Man and a Woman") provides both contrast and irony as women speak of evolving romances and reveal that they have come out to friends but not to their parents. Another scene speaks of both animal and human bears and otters with clever double entendre effect.
Does Power tie all of her scenarios together? If the no-intermission play sometimes seems too long, it does end up a stirring defense of all identities. Alyssandra Taylor and Gigi Watson are affecting as the women who struggle to come out to their parents. Alex Jacobs and Matthew Dray bring sharp alternating attitude and vulnerability to the bear scenario. Director Power also fires up Kadahu Bennett, David J. Castillo, Jade Sylvan and Mal Malme in a number of roles.
The late great Prince partied "like it's 1999." Company One brings the same kind of un-abashed flamboyance and feeling to Power's 1994 "T Party." Don your finest bling and head on over to the BCA.