The headline above is so delicious, I just had to crib it from publicist Phil Sokoloff’s creative press release describing the most recent offering at Theatre West, LA’s most prolific and long running membership companies. Incitation to the Dance, written by member playwright Michael Van Duzer, is sweet, sexy, and celebratory. The world of two long-time gay lovers, Malcolm (Michael Gambiano) and Asher (David Mingrino), have their world turned upside down when Finn (Casey Alcoser) follows Malcolm home from the club where he’s a dancer. When Malcolm installs Finn in the guest bedroom, well, remember the headline I quoted? Finn is the third one in the equation.
Playwright Van Duzer directs the threesome. Veterans Gambiano and Mingrino turn in well-rounded interpretations for both Malcolm and Asher, while we are introduced to impeccable dance moves exhibited by Casey Alcoser. Through argument and accommodation, we learn how Asher coaxed Malcolm from a dull marriage, as well as the bond the two men still maintain despite Finn’s appeal. For his part, Finn himself is trying to work out his own fears.
Perhaps the most fun of all is the leitmotif: Malcolm proves to be a professor who finds parallels in the 1946 film noir, Gilda, starring Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford. Leave it to playwright Van Duzer to uncover such interesting revelations to inform his play, including Deanna Durbin’s version of Nessun Dorma. All of that is delicious to discover amidst the domestic drama that proves once again how much we all need love and acceptance. For me, the highlight of this heartwarming scenario takes us through several fetching dance numbers by Finn and Asher (choreographed by Stan Mazin), before “all’s well that ends well,” to quote the Bard.
As always with Theatre West, the supporting technical aspects are impeccable; from the traditional living room designed by Carter Vickers, lighting and video projection by Miles Berman, and costuming by the incomparable Michael Mullen, to fight choreographer Mel Glickman and the sensitivity of intimacy coordinator, Rachel Zapata.
Incitation to the Dance continues at Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Los Angeles, 90068, running Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm through March15th, 2026. Tickets, $30 online; $40 at the door. For information, call (323) 851-4839, with online ticketing: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/incitation-to-the-dance-tickets-1975939145174
