By Michele Markarian

 

“Straight White Men” – Written by Young Jean Lee. Directed by Elaine Vaan Hogue. Presented by New Repertory Theatre, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown through September 30.

 

“For a play entitled “Straight White Men”, the opening of Young Jean Lee’s New England premiere is more than a little curious. The action is framed by Person in Charge (Dev Blair) – a young person who appears to be black, non-binary, gay or trans – who, after a rousing curtain speech, poses the characters in position to begin the scene. Three brothers, Matt (Shelley Bolman), Drew (Michael Kaye) and Jake (Dennis Trainor Jr.) have all gathered in their childhood home to celebrate Christmas, along with their father, Ed (Ken Cheeseman). But Person in Charge is a huge part of the backbone of the boys’ thinking and upbringing. Their deceased Mom gave them a hyper-awareness of political correctness, even going so far as to create a game for them called “Privilege”, where players pick from two piles of cards, one labeled “Excuses” (“What I just said wasn’t racist/sexist/homophobic because I was joking. Pay $50 to an LGBT organization,” says Jake), and the other, Denial.

Read more “Strong Performances Drive New Rep’s Engaging “Straight White Men””