By Kristin Steele
Just Out
October 17, 2008

Artists Repertory Theatre is home to the Northwest premiere of Stephen Karam’s hot-ticket play Speech & Debate.

“This play is like if George Bernard Shaw had written an episode of Gossip Girl. It’s a beautifully structured piece that respects convention but is of-the-moment about things,” says Jon Kretzu, associate artistic director of Artists Rep and director of the play.

Set in a classroom in Salem, the play centers around three archetypical outcasts—the dowdy girl, the gay guy and the nerd—who, in addition to grappling with their own identities in the strange land between childhood and adulthood, form a debate club to expose a teacher at the heart of a sex scandal. The play explores a technology-fueled world of IM, blogging, text messaging and what it is to grow up in a place where the hypocritical politics and scandals of the day are the backdrop against which teenagers are trying to find their way.

And if that weren’t enough, there’s a rock musical version of The Crucible combined with the story of a teenage Abe Lincoln wrestling with coming out.

“Young playwrights often have Mack truck subtlety with issues in their work. This piece is very subtle. [Karam] sprinkles feelings about homophobia, rights, loneliness of a gay character and coming out throughout the piece,” says Kretzu, who is gay. “He’s a very mature playwright. We’ve seen plenty of plays about all these things, and this play is fresh, surprising and touching. I love that.”

Kretzu strives to bring a full scope of talents to directing the work. “We interpret through the prism of our existence, and as a gay man, it comes through. But it’s also only a sliver of the pie that I am.”

Speech & Debate stars Derek Herman, Jennifer Rowe and Adrian de Forest as the trio at the heart of the show.

“Casting took forever. They are very particular roles,” Kretzu says. “And these actors are these people. They totally relate and play off each other as if they’ve known each other for years.”

Of the play’s place in Portland’s theatrical landscape, Kretzu is clear: “It’s the coolest damn play in Portland this year. You want to be in one of those 60 seats.”

Click here to purchase tickets for Speech & Debate.