By Jim Barlow

For more than ten years I have been inundated with the words AIDS until it no longer has the proper shock value. The same can be said for Gays and Gay activists. I am sick and tired of hearing about both subjects and as a heterosexual I have paid little attention to either.

However, I received a call from a Bud Peters, a fine actor and a friend of mine. He asked me to attend the opening of the new play "Grace" by John Carmichael and Edward Langlois. I had received material on the play here at the "Scene" but since I was not interested in the subject, I had decided not to attend now or ever. However, Bud is performing in the production, so I changed my mind. His comment to me at the time was, "It’s an important play." Well not to me, I thought to myself, but what the heck.

Well to make a long story short, I did attend and want it known I will never feel the same about either of the above subjects again.

It was one of the most moving, emotionally stirring plays I have ever witnessed. The cast was superb from top to bottom, direction was flawless, the set, while simplistic, was apropos. Lighting and costuming were first rate.

The play is the story of Louis, a homosexual man of about 35 who is dying of AIDS. As he lies in a hospital bed waiting for death to take him he has re-occurring dreams of Madame DuBarry of the Court of Louis XV. He is confronted by his disappointed father, who cannot accept Louis for what he is and his mother, a domineering woman who treated Louis as a girl when he was a child.

The one bright spot in Louis’ life now is his male nurse, Sammy, a heterosexual, who understands his patient as no one else can but is powerless to help except to make Louis smile once in a while.

There is Mike, Louis’ former lover, who comes, not to comfort the dying man, but to add to an already miserable life. And Madame DuBarry, who does accomplish what everyone else has not.

Edward Langlois, who plays Louis, is absolutely marvelous. His powerful portrayal is so believable it is hard to think of him as dying in that hospital bed on stage.

Patricia Byrnes as Madame DuBarry is flawless. She can make one believe she is indeed a courtesan for King Louis.

Bud Peters is great as his father, a man torn between accepting Louis for what he is and what he wants his son to be and his own self-doubts. Maggie Griffith is great as Louis' mother, who outwardly accepts Louis, but inwardly feels responsible for the person Louis became, so comforts herself with drink.

Tim Lindsey as Sammy is wonderful. He can make a person laugh even in the face of death. And Time did just that…

And Chris Pullo as Mike. He is so good, I ended up despising him.

Most of the actors had dual roles as they switched from the 18^th Century to the 20^th and they were equally as convincing.

The music, by Milo, worked very well. It set the mood and conveyed the scene. It was neither pretentious nor overpowering. It was there and the audiences could feel it.

The play was effectively directed by John Carmichael. If there were any glitches in the dialogue, I was unaware of them.

The grace and sensitivity were paramount because they were entwined with death. But more than that, death is a subjects most of us avoid.

While there are many heavy scenes, they are treated with respect and a great deal of understanding of an individual such as Louis.

The play is very powerful and it is not for youngsters, but it is for anyone why really doesn’t want to accept the problem of AIDS.

I must admit I was somewhat disillusioned after the first act because I really didn’t connect Madame DuBarry with a dying man of the 20^th Century, but it comes together.

During the first intermission (there are two), I heard many comments similar to my own puzzlement’s. By the second there were only comments of how great the play was.

When the play ended, there was complete silence from the full house. Everyone was totally drained and completely satisfied. Then the thunderous, standing ovation that went on for three curtain calls.

In the past I have made recommendations to see this or that production, but this time I insist.

Echoing Bud’s comment to me, "It is an important play!" Go see it.