The monologue-driven play is about the strong but threatenedbond between a mother, her gay son and his husband
Playwright Harrison David Rivers' monologue-driven "We Are Continuous" finds its three characters -- a mother, her grown son and the son's new husband -- repeatedly addressing the audience directly.
"We're inviting you to have a seat at the table," explained Kian Kline-Chilton, who is directing the San Diego premiere of Rivers' 2022 drama at Diversionary Theatre in University Heights. "The audience is an active participant in the story that's being told. We're talking directly to you.
"You don't have to talk. You don't have to respond. But you have to listen."
The story is one that challenges the dynamics and definition of what is family. The relationship between mother Ora (Marti Gobel) and son Simon (Elliot Sagay) has been tested by him revealing of his sexuality and then his marriage to Abe (Eli Wood). Another reveal will prove even more challenging, to all three of them.
The partly monologual structure of "We Are Continuous" appeals to Gobel as an actor.
"I love it," she said, "because it allows me to really express and explain what's going on in the character's emotional world. It's also a great exercise in being present and receiving. It begs the witnesser of the work to listen with a sharper ear, to follow that train of thought and connect with the characters.
"This play offers the notion that it's never too late to start over, to reset and to redefine as it relates to those you love," she said.
Director Kline-Chilton has been continually in conversation with Rivers about the playwright's semi-autobiographical play and, like Gobel, recognizes its relevance and what they say is a note of hope when it comes to damaged relationships.
"Our world suddenly seems like things are losing their meaning," Kline-Chilton said. "A lot of us think that there's no way to heal things, that the only way out of conflict is the end of something. This play reminds us that there's an active choice to continue to pursue, to believe that our families are the ones we want them to be. If we can just believe those people are always there to support us, we're going to be good."
For San Diego native Kline-Chilton, who is making their Diversionary directorial debut, "We Are Continuous" is personal as well.
"This play hits so hard," they said. "My family is good to me, but there have been absolute difficulties in my being queer. I think about all the times I felt like I didn't understand and I had to ask myself 'What does it mean to change?' I know what it's like to have a family who loves me but doesn't know who I am. This mother and son feel very close to my mom and me."
Kline-Chilton said they couldn't be happier about working with Gobel, whom they described as "somebody who I think is a titan."
"She's been a huge cheerleader. I don't have an assistant director, but I feel like I couldn't do this play without her."
Rehearsals definitely have had their rewards, said Gobel. "We really enjoy each other and the work. We all leave tired but full of the joy of the collaborative spirit."
When: Opens tonight and runs through March 9. 7 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays