Tuesday Talent: Kevin Spirtas Redux

Loaded is the first play by HIV positive playwright Elliot Ramon Potts. Both of the characters in this very intimate play are HIV positive. Brandon Voss over at The Advocate seems to be quite unhappy with the characters Potts created. At least one of them is someone not worthy of rooting for, but his every move and numance is quite understandable. That's because Kevin Spirtas who interprets 47 year old Patrick in this play puts his heart and soul into it. This is a true post-modern work in a world after AIDS.

Not every gay character needs to be someone cut out of an after school special. Gay people are human beings. Potts and Spirtas bring Patrick to life informing us that there are many similar people out there. While the drama leaves the observer with nothing to hold on to, so to speak, there is a sense that if Patrick and Jude could be reached out to, a third person might help them understand or get across. That's a lot like real life. A good actor makes you want to enter the scenery and interact.

If only Voss had mentioned how good the acting was and how Kevin Spirtas left virtually no stone unturned in his unveiling of the very complicated, to say the least, Patrick.



Loaded is not perfect, but it does have something to say about living in the age of AIDS, barebacking and HIV positive sex. Hearts and flowers it ain't.

Props most definitely are needed for actors, especially those who can bring someone to light, even someone not so sympathetic.

Mr. Spirtas will be back in all his intensity after January 2, 2010.