Theater review: One in Two

                        

            Durwood Murray, Carter Piggee, Kevane La'Marr Coleman

Since 2019, the world has been so consumed with COVID-19 and its effects that many have forgotten about previous bugs that likewise kill. 

Diversionary Theatre returns to live performance with Donja R. Love’s “One in Two,” a most unusual three-hander that explores the effects of HIV/AIDS, the ’80s “gay epidemic” which has killed 700,000 gay/bisexual Black men since its discovery – matching the U.S. Covid death rate so far. AIDS still claims 13,000 lives a year in the U.S.

But it’s the way this story is told that’s different. Three numbered actors – Kevane La’Marr Coleman, Durwood Murray and Carter Piggee – have learned all three roles, and which one they play on a given night is supposed to be up to the audience to indicate – by applause.

So first, we in the audience clapped once for each actor, and they were “numbered” accordingly. (It didn’t exactly work out as expected, since the declared #1 isn’t the one who got the most applause, but let that go.)

Playwright Love identifies as an Afro-Queer playwright and filmmaker, and this is based on his story.

The plot follows these three gay/bisexual Black men, (on opening night) concentrating on Carter Piggee as a wannabe writer who finds out as we watch what it means to be gay, black and HIV-positive, and plans to write about the experience. But it’s difficult.

“Sometimes the hurt is worse than the HIV,” notes the nurse who gives him the news. He goes through shock, fear, pretending not to care and drowning himself in drink on the way to eventual acceptance.

Kevane La’Marr Coleman is fine as both a sassy, flamboyant man with HIV and Donte’s mother, who doesn’t want anyone to know about her son’s affliction.

Durwood Murray is excellent as the older, more experienced and steadying force (also with HIV) for the other two.

The CDC projected in 2016 that one in two African American gay or bisexual men may be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime.

Diversionary’s artistic director Matt M. Morrow picked exceptional local director Delicia Turner Sonnenberg to bring this play to life, and she does an outstanding job with a difficult task. Though some audience members (like me) might have preferred a jollier piece to reopen the theater, “One in Two” offers a rare experience.