Girl Gumshoe & Detective Dad: Meet Gina Davenport
In anticipation of Gadfly Theatre Productions' IMMINENT OPENING of my play Girl Gumshoe & Detective Dad, I'm writing up some meditations on the characters, to introduce folks to them before the curtain goes up (only not really. There's no curtain. Sorry). I'll start with Gina Davenport (Lauren Diesch), because Gina is the glue that holds all the Girl Gumshoe relationships together.
This is my most autobiographical play. Not plot-wise (thank goodness) but character- and relationship-wise. Gina is so very much me just after college-though I didn't have a world-wise girlfriend to move in with. Largely sheltered childhood, close parent/child relationship, early-adult coming out experience...these aspects of my own past went into Gina, as did my futile longing for the easy, fun, consequence-free whimsy of adolescence over the often difficult, consequence-laden obligations of adulthood. People like Gina and I can be incredibly frustrating, especially as partners, and we often wonder what the crap functional adults like Sarita and Leora are thinking, putting up with us. But we sure are grateful that they do.
But Gina and I have our redeeming qualities, as well. We know how to make our own fun; we are unshakably loyal to those who return our love; and when push comes to shove (maybe even off a roof?), we will, ultimately, do what's right.
Girl Gumshoe & Detective Dad runs October 17-26, 2014, at the People's Center Theater, 425 20th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454
This is my most autobiographical play. Not plot-wise (thank goodness) but character- and relationship-wise. Gina is so very much me just after college-though I didn't have a world-wise girlfriend to move in with. Largely sheltered childhood, close parent/child relationship, early-adult coming out experience...these aspects of my own past went into Gina, as did my futile longing for the easy, fun, consequence-free whimsy of adolescence over the often difficult, consequence-laden obligations of adulthood. People like Gina and I can be incredibly frustrating, especially as partners, and we often wonder what the crap functional adults like Sarita and Leora are thinking, putting up with us. But we sure are grateful that they do.
But Gina and I have our redeeming qualities, as well. We know how to make our own fun; we are unshakably loyal to those who return our love; and when push comes to shove (maybe even off a roof?), we will, ultimately, do what's right.
Girl Gumshoe & Detective Dad runs October 17-26, 2014, at the People's Center Theater, 425 20th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454