Have you ever had a story you knew you needed to tell? One that rattled inside you until you simply had to let it out? The Inheritance is one such story. Written by Matthew López and directed by Brendan Healy, The Inheritance takes the audience on an intimate journey through the lives of three generations of queer men. From surviving the AIDS epidemic to watching an Earth-shattering election, to loosing and finding (and sometimes loosing again) love and community, The Inheritance is an emotionally charged and wildly compelling piece of theatre. Featuring a stunningly talented cast, The Inheritance Part 1 & Part 2 is a masterpiece of queer theatre.

The Inheritance Part 1 starts with young men in a writing group; one of them is facing major writers block, so their mentor (and his favourite author) asks them all to start acting out his story to help the words flow. Everything that follows is therefore entirely self-aware, and the mentor often narrates various portions of the to-be story (even the more naughty parts!). We’re introduced to Eric Glass, his partner Toby Darling, and a host of their closest friends. Eric and Toby have been together for seven years, but allow for a dalliance from time to time. While Toby prefers younger men (like an actor he’s hired to be in a play adaptation of his novel), Eric prefers the company of older men, providing companionship while both of their partners are out of town. Toby’s new-found fame and lifestyle begin to cause a rift between he and Eric, leaving Eric to face eviction from his family’s ancestral home alone.

Part 2 picks up right where we left off, and takes the story to its inevitable conclusion. Repeating several lines and scenarios from Part 1, we see how drastically and irrevocably the lives of Eric, Toby, and their friends have changed in the two years we’ve been following them. Toby’s play opens on Broadway to instant success, yet its author is suddenly nowhere to be found. Eric begins to become more friendly with an old acquaintance who eventually asks him to marry him, despite the protestations from Eric’s friends. Things get complicated and heated as the story continues, yet there is a mounting feeling like this can only end one way. Personal revelations and spiritual connections to community guide Eric and Toby back to one another, even if it is for a brief time. There is a sense of peace in the ending of The Inheritance; a knowledge that these men managed to somehow find the acceptance and forgiveness which they had been seeking.

It is so important that we get to see multiple generations of queer people interacting on stage in The Inheritance. The AIDS crisis meant that a whole generation of queer men were wiped out in their prime, leaving a huge gap in the community and few elders to look up to. We still face this problem today with the laws and hatred expressed against trans people, and particularly trans people of colour, as is discussed in López’s play. To see the difference society has traversed in that time is also very present in the discussions between Walter or Henry and Eric’s generation of friends. Emblematic of this is Walter’s home, which goes from a place death to a place of healing; a testament to the medical and societal progress which has been made (though there is still plenty left to go).

The Inheritance also does not shy away from difficult topics, making it a time capsule of sorts for the socio-political climate of the United States at the time. The group of people we follow throughout the story embody several different statuses, ethnicities, financial situations, and housing situations, showing this cross-section of humanity. The final scene of Part 1 is one of the most moving moments I’ve witnessed on stage. Kudos to Canadian Stage for the hard work and organization it must take to make that breath-taking and tear-inducing moment happen.

The frame narrative allows López to inject The Inheritance with several moments wherein the characters are totally aware that they are merely characters within a play. He even goes so far as to poke fun at the length of the play (once in each part, actually). These moments where the characters either playfully poke fun at the art form, or are desperately trying to fight against their pre-ordained plot lines gives the production a collaborative feel; as if we’re watching an improvised piece or a very real, unscripted conversation. Invoking levity and intensity in equal measure, López’s writing is nuanced and intelligent, creating passionate and moving moments throughout both parts.

Michael Gianfrancesco’s set design expertly changes with the production, starting with a dark, industrial design and finishing with a light, almost fantastical room. Having so many locations makes the initial set perfect, it’s able to be anywhere and everywhere that’s required. However, the whimsy of the final set, when we see how Eric’s possessions fit so perfectly in Walter’s house, adds to that feeling of peace and ease the story brings.

The Inheritance brings together some of the best actors Toronto has to offer; each cast member giving a vibrant and dynamic performance. Stephen Jackman-Torkoff gives a career-defining turn as Adam and Leo; everything from his physicality to his sincerity made me unable to take my eyes off of him. Qasim Khan likewise shines as Eric Glass, his emotionally charged performance frequently brought tears to my eyes. Antoine Yared’s Toby is powerful and pitiable; his fervour is unparalleled. Breton Lalama and Hollywood Jade deliver ferocity and some of the most impeccable comedic timing I’ve ever witnessed. Salvatore Antonio, Gregory Prest, and Aldrin Bundoc portray these composed and level-headed characters; perfect foils to their fiery counterparts. Daniel MacIvor delivers a monologue towards the end of Part 1 which made me openly weep; his performance is that excellent. Jim Mezon’s Henry is at times stoic, at others delightfully charismatic, all the while somehow convincing me of his conservative values. Landon Nesbitt and Ben Page bring a vitality and joy to their characters that radiates from them throughout the production. Louise Pitre might only be in Part 2, but her performance as Margaret is a memorable one, again delivering an emotional monologue which left me heartbroken. I knew from the cast announcement that this production was to be like no other, and they most definitely delivered.

The Inheritance is an unmatched theatrical event; encapsulating three generations of queer men into one cohesive and intriguing story makes this a marvel of modern theatre. Don’t let the time-frame deter you, this story is worth every moment you spend at the theatre; the time flies by as you delve deeper and deeper into the rich lives of these incredible characters. Part 1 runs until April 13th and Part 2 until April 14th at the Bluma Appel theatre. For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.canadianstage.com/shows-events/the-inheritance

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Cover Photo: L-R: Antoine Yared, Stephen Jackman-Torkoff, Ben Page, Qasim Khan, Daniel MacIvor.

Photos by Dahlia Katz
Set Design by Michael Gianfrancesco
Costume Design by Ming Wong
Lighting Design by Kimberly Purtell

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