The Sum of Us
Encyclopedia
The Sum of Us is a play by David Stevens.
The plot revolves around the comfortable relationship between widower Harry and his gay
son Jeff and their individual searches for the right mate. Harry unconditionally loves his Rugby-playing son, and even takes an active part in Jeff's search for Mr. Right. Harry reveals that his mother (Jeff's grandmother) was a lesbian, perhaps accounting for his accepting attitude toward Jeff. Jeff's new boyfriend, Greg, who is closeted from his own homophobic
father, finds it difficult to relate to Harry's well-meaning matchmaking ways. Greg is ejected from his own home by his father when he discovers his son's sexuality. Harry, via a video dating service, finds a woman that he likes, a divorcee named Joyce, who may not be so understanding after spying a gay magazine in Harry and Jeff's house. Unfortunately, Harry suffers a massive stroke and is disabled, leaving him unable to speak or walk. Jeff cares for him as best as he can, taking him to the park for an outing one day. Jeff and Greg meet up in the park and agree to try and rekindle their romance, while Jeff's Dad, although unable to speak, gives his overwhelming approval.
The play, directed by Kevin Dowling, opened on October 16, 1990 at the Off-Broadway
Cherry Lane Theatre
, where it ran for 335 performances. Tony Goldwyn
and Richard Thomsen headed the cast. The play won the Outer Critics Circle Award
for the Outstanding Off-Broadway Play 1990-1991.
The first production in Australia was in 1992 by the Sydney Theatre Company
at the Wharf Studio Theatre with Ron Graham
and Peter Phelps
. A new production is touring capital cities, regional and remote venues across Australia in 2011. Produced by Christine Harris
and HIT Productions, the cast includes one of Australia’s most well-known television, theatre and film actors John Jarratt
, alongside Patrick Harvey
, Glenn van Oosterom, and Nell Feeney
. Directed by Green Room Awards
winner Denis Moore.
and Jack Thompson
. The screen adaptation mimics the play's device of breaking the fourth wall
with direct to camera conversational asides by both Harry and Jeff. Stevens' screenplay won awards from the Australian Film Institute
and the Montréal World Film Festival
, and the movie was named Best Film at the Cleveland International Film Festival
.
The plot revolves around the comfortable relationship between widower Harry and his gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
son Jeff and their individual searches for the right mate. Harry unconditionally loves his Rugby-playing son, and even takes an active part in Jeff's search for Mr. Right. Harry reveals that his mother (Jeff's grandmother) was a lesbian, perhaps accounting for his accepting attitude toward Jeff. Jeff's new boyfriend, Greg, who is closeted from his own homophobic
Homophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
father, finds it difficult to relate to Harry's well-meaning matchmaking ways. Greg is ejected from his own home by his father when he discovers his son's sexuality. Harry, via a video dating service, finds a woman that he likes, a divorcee named Joyce, who may not be so understanding after spying a gay magazine in Harry and Jeff's house. Unfortunately, Harry suffers a massive stroke and is disabled, leaving him unable to speak or walk. Jeff cares for him as best as he can, taking him to the park for an outing one day. Jeff and Greg meet up in the park and agree to try and rekindle their romance, while Jeff's Dad, although unable to speak, gives his overwhelming approval.
The play, directed by Kevin Dowling, opened on October 16, 1990 at the Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
Cherry Lane Theatre
Cherry Lane Theatre
The Cherry Lane Theatre , located at 38 Commerce Street in the borough of Manhattan, was New York City's oldest, continuously running off-Broadway theater...
, where it ran for 335 performances. Tony Goldwyn
Tony Goldwyn
Anthony Howard "Tony" Goldwyn is an American actor and director. He portrayed the villain Carl Bruner in Ghost, Colonel Bagley in The Last Samurai, and the voice of the title character of the Disney animated Tarzan.-Early life:...
and Richard Thomsen headed the cast. The play won the Outer Critics Circle Award
Outer Critics Circle Award
The Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on and Off-Broadway and were begun during the 1949-1950 theater season. The awards are decided upon by theater critics who review for out-of-town newspapers, national publications, and other media outlets...
for the Outstanding Off-Broadway Play 1990-1991.
The first production in Australia was in 1992 by the Sydney Theatre Company
Sydney Theatre Company
The Sydney Theatre Company is one of Australia's best-known theatre companies operating from The Wharf Theatre near The Rocks area of Sydney, as well as the Sydney Theatre and the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre....
at the Wharf Studio Theatre with Ron Graham
Ron Graham
Ron Graham may refer to:*Ronald Graham , American mathematician*Ronald Graham , RAF Air Vice-Marshal*Ron Graham , Australian actor*Ronny Graham , American actor-See also:...
and Peter Phelps
Peter Phelps
Peter Phelps is an Australian actor, singer and writer. He is notable for his role of Peter Church in the television drama, Stingers and Trevor Cole, in Baywatch...
. A new production is touring capital cities, regional and remote venues across Australia in 2011. Produced by Christine Harris
Christine Harris
Christine Harris is an Australian actress, born and raised in South Australia.After portraying a young version of popular Australian singer Julie Anthony in a television special, she moved to Sydney at the end of 1979 to star as paraplegic Tina Marshall in the short-lived Network Ten soap opera...
and HIT Productions, the cast includes one of Australia’s most well-known television, theatre and film actors John Jarratt
John Jarratt
-Early life:Jarratt was born and grew up in Wongawilli, a small rural town near Wollongong, New South Wales and later in the Snowy Mountains area. Jarratt's father was a coal miner and later concreter, who worked on the Snowy Mountains hydroelectric scheme. Both his parents were of Irish origin....
, alongside Patrick Harvey
Patrick Harvey
Patrick Harvey is an Irish/Australian actor. He played Northern Irish immigrant Connor O'Neill on the television soap opera Neighbours. His first appearance on the soap was in April 2002...
, Glenn van Oosterom, and Nell Feeney
Nell Feeney
Nell Feeney is an Australian actress who played Janelle Timmins on the Australian soap opera Neighbours from late 2004 to July 2007. She was married to former cast member Shane Connor and together they have twins....
. Directed by Green Room Awards
Green Room Awards
The Green Room Awards are peer awards which recognise excellence in cabaret, dance, drama, fringe theatre, musical theatre and opera in Melbourne....
winner Denis Moore.
Adaptation
A 1994 Australian film version directed by Dowling and Geoff Burton starred Russell CroweRussell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe is a New Zealander Australian actor , film producer and musician. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, a...
and Jack Thompson
Jack Thompson (actor)
Jack Thompson, AM is an Australian actor and one of the major figures of Australian cinema. He was educated at University of Queensland, before embarking on his acting career. In 2002, he was made an honorary member of the Australian Cinematographers Society...
. The screen adaptation mimics the play's device of breaking the fourth wall
Fourth wall
The fourth wall is the imaginary "wall" at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play...
with direct to camera conversational asides by both Harry and Jeff. Stevens' screenplay won awards from the Australian Film Institute
Australian Film Institute
The Australian Film Institute was founded in 1958 as a non-profit organisation devoted to developing an active film culture in Australia and fostering engagement between the general public and the Australian film industry...
and the Montréal World Film Festival
Montreal World Film Festival
The Montreal World Film Festival , founded in 1977, is one of Canada's oldest international film festivals and the only competitive film festival in North America accredited by the FIAPF...
, and the movie was named Best Film at the Cleveland International Film Festival
Cleveland International Film Festival
The Cleveland International Film Festival, first held in 1977, is the largest film festival in Ohio. The 2010 festival featured over 300 films. Since 1991 the festival has been held at Tower City Cinemas in downtown Cleveland.-Roxanne T...
.