Michael Perlman’s intense drama From White Plains is a hard-hitting tale of revenge, redemption, and, ultimately, forgiveness.

The play opens with two straight friends Ethan (Thomas-Robert Irvin) and John (Jeff Hunsicker) stunned as they watch the Academy Awards. Screenwriter Dennis (Frank Schierloh) had just won an Oscar for the film he wrote based on his experiences growing up with his best friend Mitchell and the torment they endured in high school for being gay, which ultimately led to Mitchell taking his own life. During Dennis’ acceptance speech he names Ethan as one of their main tormentors.

It is from here that the audience is thrown into the constantly evolving battle between Dennis and Ethan, which initially begins as a series of gripes to their closest friends, but ultimately leads to an embittered social media scuffle. As the play progresses both men are faced with two separate journeys:

Dennis becomes so consumed with his mission to get vengeance for Mitchell’s suicide that he takes little notice of his boyfriend Gregory’s (Connor Feimster) attempts to quell his anger while Ethan ironically becomes the victim by being attacked on social media, which also leads to a rift in most of his personal relationships, including his bromance with John.

From White Plains offers a powerful look into homophobia, bullying, social media validation and the polarization of the LGBTQ community with one half still fighting for equality while the other half simply wants to be viewed as normal human beings.

But where this play truly shines is in its depiction of relationships between men, both gay and straight. Ethan’s old school view of homosexuality and his past transgressions cause John to question his character, while Gregory’s inability to wholeheartedly agree with his views makes Dennis question exactly where Gregory stands on the fight for gay rights.

Thought provoking and current, From White Plains is a play that is driven by its powerful four-man cast and their ability to portray their characters with depth and conviction. At times Ethan is made out to be a bit of a cliché as the stereotypical "bad straight guy," as is Dennis who dips into I-still-can’t-get-over-high-school territory on more than one occasion. But in telling this story these kinds of characters must be exposed, for they are the backbone into the mindsets of small-minded individuals who become bullies and the former victims of bullying who turn their tragedy into triumph. 

From White Plains is currently being shown at Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Place in Center City until August 22nd as a part of GayFest!

For dates and times of upcoming shows go to the GayFest! website: http://www.quinceproductions.com/gayfest.html