The Mystery of Love and Sex Starring Tony Sholub and Diane Lane at LCT

The garrulous play "The Myster of Love & Sex" has plenty to say about, racism, anti-semitism, homophobia, love, hatred, sexual promiscuity & the interminable ways people communicate with each other.  The simplistic set is shifted around by its stellular cast of big name stars: Tony Sholub (Howard) Diane Lane (Lucinda) & newcomers Gayle Rankin (Charlotte) & Mamoudou Athie (Jonny.)  Everyone does their party with the heavy lifting in this laden play.  Rankin & Athie lay their acting craft bare,  leaving little to the imagination.  Howard & Lucinda are parents to college co-ed Charlotte.  Jonny & Charlotte grew up together as inseparable friends.  Their young adult relationship is evolving into a deeper relationship, harder to define.  Howard, a successful novelist of Jewish heritage is determined to have his daughter clarify where her longtime bi-racial relationship with Jonny is headed.  Charlotte, a southern belle, is a bohemian free-spirit addicted to cigarettes & prescription meds.  Her family ties were severed following her marriage to Howard, a NY Jew.  Howard is outspoken, openminded, charismatic & controlling. Meanwhile, Charlotte & Johnny are grappling with their feelings for each other as well as their own sexual orientation.  This topical play touches on almost every controversial hot bed issue imaginable.  It is a very entertaining & enigmatic play.  How a play this verbose can be so engaging & thought provoking remains a mystery.  What defines a family, love & loyalty?  An ambitious play with a lot of interesting points of view.  "We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once." (Nietzche)