Helping shed light on all this are Andy’s parents: a mellow architect father, well played by Mark Taylor, blind to his son's talent and sexuality but always forgiving and supportive, and a grasping yet concerned mother, played with great nuance by Amy Aquino. The reactions and struggles Andy has with his parents are not pat. They involve his mother’s jealousy, her fierce protective instincts, her resignation to letting her son have his own life in the theatre (she is a dancer turned high school teacher who feels passé), and his love choices. Bill Brochtrup as Kerner’s jaded assistant and ex-protégé provides his own take on the situation and ends up helping all concerned. The set by Craig Siebels perfectly matches the spirit of the play, using a scrim, a fold-up set, beautiful paneled walls, and simple modern furniture.
Secrets Of The Trade plays at the Black Dahlia Theatre until April 20.
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