stage spotlight
by tony reverditto Jan Miller Corran Brings Her Critically Acclaimed LGBTQ Dramedy to Los Angeles T
THE LAST CHAPTER IS JUST THE BEGINNING
he critically praisedplay The Last Chapter is the story of highly successful author Samantha and wife Jane who is no longer in her life ... or is she? Jane always finished the last chapter of every novel that Samantha wrote. With Jane gone, she is stuck on how to write the resolution of the final chapter. Her intrusive, yet loving next-door neighbors Jimmy and Doug are the glue holding Samantha together. And then along comes Marie.
The story centers around love, loss, words left unspoken and new
beginnings.The Last Chapter is written and produced by the
acclaimed Jan Miller Corran with credits such asSnapshots, The Last Word, Turn Left andBuried Truths. The Rage Monthly caught up with Corran before the opening to gain some insights about her compelling play.
Please give our reader a glimpse into your background. I’ve produced over 20 feature films and documentaries since 1995. My filmSnapshots (2018) starring Piper Laurie was written about my mother, who came out in her late 80s. It won over 35 awards. I’m very proud of it.
What was the inspiration for this script? I originally staged the play as a “straight” drama. I was approached to change it to a cast of LGBTQ characters. The inspiration is the universal theme of love, loss, words left unsaid, moving on, new beginnings that know no gender or age or sexual orientation. My inspiration grew from loss in a personal relationship and a desire to create a universally appealing story that related to us as people and not the orientation of the characters. It is true that love is love is love. It is not unique to gay vs. straight. It is only expressed uniquely by people. And honestly, I really wanted a play with these specific actors.
How do Jimmy and Doug help keep Samantha together? Jimmy and Doug are the married neighbors and have been in the lives of Samantha and Jane for nearly 20 years. They have been there practically every day since Jane left and literally are the supports who keep Samantha from imploding. There is a strong love and bond between them. They are 100% upfront and honest with each other and, like Doug says, “don’t take any shit from Samantha.” They are what best friends should always be.
You bring Marie into the story; how does she fit in? Literally by accident, Jimmy brings Marie into the picture to help Samantha find a rescue dog. Marie is the “dog matchmaker extraordinaire.” Since both Samantha and Marie need a bit of rescuing, the boys push the two of them together in hopes Samantha can start to move on, heal, and find someone new.
What is the walkaway you hope audiences take after seeing the show? Audiences have told me that the biggest walkaway is realizing that we need to say all we have to say when our loved ones are alive. We get no second chances and life moves so quickly. Beyond that is our knowing that every relationship has its wonderful moments, memories, struggles and sad times. No one escapes it. Yet, even in the darkest moments, friends rally to keep us going and there is actually the possibility of happiness in the end. The eclectic cast is comprised of Cathy DeBuono, Constance Brenneman, Adam Huss, Monica Young and Adam Bucci.
Fun fact: Adam Bucci and Adam Huss are really married to each other. Cathy DeBuono is a lesbian icon, and Jan Miller Corran is a lesbian writer and producer. Kate Johnston, the director, also a lesbian, is directingThe Last Chapter, the spin-off of the highly successful playThe Last Word, a Three Women in a Box Production that debuted at the Garry Marshall Theatre in 2019.
The Last Chapter runs Saturday, March 28 through Sunday, April 12 at Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa
Monica Boulevard, Hollywood. Tickets at
onstage411.com.The Rage Monthly readers will receive a discount with the promo code: chapter5.
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ragemonthly.com | March 2020
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