Page-2 | REVIEW: ‘Standing on Ceremony’ anthologizes new plays about gay marriage | New York Theater | NewJerseyNewsroom.com -- Your State. Your News.

Page 2 of 2

The foreboding title for Neil LaBute’s typically spiky entry, “Strange Fruit,” suggests the tragic outcome for this entwining of blissful monologues from two middle-aged men who decide to marry. Wendy MacLeod’s “This Flight Tonight” and Mo Gaffney’s “A Traditional Wedding” are warm, amiable studies in supportive relationships between lesbians. Jordan Harrison’s “The Revision” wryly observes a couple rewriting their wedding vows in accordance with local statutes. Jose Rivera’s “Pablo & Andrew at the Altar of Words” offers a celebratory close for the program.

Doug Wright’s brisk “On Facebook” purports to be a dramatization of a social network thread regarding the legalization of gay marriage. Employing six actors who mime clever punctuations to their remarks like smiley faces and thumbs-up likes, the piece humorously presents a mini-debate on the topic.

The actors refer to scripts on music stands arranged across designer Sarah Zeitler’s setting, which features rows of glass chairs and a vast bolt of bridal veiling looped through two big wedding rings. Josh Starr’s lighting visually underscores the dramas.

Like the similarly-staged “Love, Loss and What I Wore,” director Stuart Ross’s smoothly-performed production uses a rotating cast of actors. The opening night company is a pleasure to watch. In addition to Thomas and Harris, both performing at the top of their game, an ebullient Craig Bierko, a dynamic Beth Leavel and a smoky-voiced Polly Draper grace the show, as does the impossibly good-looking daytime drama heartthrob Mark Consuelos, who proves to be quite adept as a stage trouper.

“Standing on Ceremony” continues at the Minetta Lane Theatre, 18 Minetta Lane, New York. Call (212)279-4200 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.