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First Production
Can't Say I Do is an original musical about the politics
of the gay marriage debate, as seen in the lives of the Bennett family.
With insight, humor and great music, this production asks why marriage
is of such fundamental importance, and why the choice - and the right
- to marry or not to marry has become an issue that can entangle an
entire family (and an entire nation!) in confusion. In the play, Carol
has become pregnant and suddenly has to re-think her lifelong resistance
to marriage. Her brother, Chris, is a gay man whose inability to marry
his partner, Alex, a South African man, threatens to split them up
forever when Alex's visa is revoked. Chris and Carol's long-divorced
parents soon weigh in on both marriage crises, as the entire family
tries to find a way to balance life, love and commitment.
The show has been called Sondheim-esque, with great variety and complexity
in the songs. There is a lullaby, an anthem, a barbershop quartet,
a love song and a sexy blues number - to describe a few. Music and
lyrics by Peter Alexander, book and lyrics by Kevin Yell. |
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Performance
Dates
Ten performances were held:
January 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 @ 7:30 pm
January 7, 14 @ 3:00 pm Matinee
The theater is located at:
World Trade Center
121 SW Salmon St, Building #2, Portland, OR [map]
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7:30 PM Performances |
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3:00 PM Performances |
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Cast
& Crew
Direction
- Director: Troy Lakey
- Musical Director: Chrisse Roccaro
Cast
- Chris (Son/Brother): Nartan Woods
- Alex (Chris' Partner): Mike Borgstrom
- Carol (Daugher/Sister): Meredith Weber
- David (Carol's Partner): Ian Anderson-Priddy
- Sam (Father): Jeff Siri
- Margaret (Mother): Elisabeth Goebel
From left to right: Jeff Siri, Ian Anderson-Priddy, Nartan Woods,
Chrisse Roccaro, Meredith Weber, Troy Lakey, Mike Borgstrom, Elisabeth
Goebel
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| Press
FAQ
What is the story & style of Can't Say I Do?
Can't Say I Do is an original musical about the politics of the gay
marriage debate, as seen in the lives of the Bennett family. With
insight, humor and great music, this production asks why marriage
is of such fundamental importance, and why the choice - and the right
- to marry or not to marry has become an issue of such importance
to our nation and the world. In the play, Carol has become pregnant
and suddenly has to re-think her lifelong resistance to marriage.
Her brother, Chris, is a gay man whose inability to marry his partner,
Alex, threatens to split them up forever when Alex's visa is revoked
and he may be forced to return to South Africa. Chris and Carol's
long-divorced parents soon weigh in on both marriage crises, as the
entire family tries to find a way to balance life, love and commitment.
The show has been called Sondheim-esque, with great variety and complexity
in the songs. There is a lullaby, an anthem, a barbershop quartet,
a love song and a sexy blues number - to describe a few. It is a well
balanced show with six characters. Our Musical Director is Chrisse
Roccaro. The cast is: Chris - Nartan Woods, Alex - Mike Borgstrom,
Carol - Meredith Weber, David - Ian Anderson-Priddy, Sam - Jeff Siri,
Margaret - Elisabeth Goebel.
Why is this play important?
Marriage equality is a hot topic all over the world! We hope that
America will catch up to some of the other countries around the world
like Canada, Great Britain, and South Africa! Everyone should have
the right to marry the person they love - they may decide that marriage
isn't right for them, but they should be able to if that is what they
want. This musical questions the "freedom" that we have in this country,
are we all really free? This play also shows the struggles that happen
within a family around gay marriage, especially when one member is
more "traditional conservative." This show is really about relationships
- parent/child, brother/sister, in-laws, boyfriend/girlfriend, gay/straight,
partner/partner.
One of the most powerful relationship examinations is between Margaret,
the conservative mother, and Chris, her gay son. They each struggle
with loving someone that believes something very different than what
they do. How can Margaret balance her desire for her son to be happy
with her belief that homosexuality is wrong. Over the course of the
play, she begins to understand the struggles he has to face and the
inequalities he encounters.
Hopefully some people will remember this show next time they vote!
It would be great if this show inspired people to talk to their friends
who aren't sure which side of the gay marriage debate they stand on,
and convince them that all people should have the fundamental right
to marry the person they love. All people deserve the same rights
and benefits - it isn't special rights, it is equal rights.
 History
of Can't Say I Do |
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