MNfusion: Mpls. Garage Theatre Opens 'Frankie And Johnny In Clair De Lune'

Clair de Lune: "light of the moon."

Few things are as stereotypically romantic as lovers meeting in the moonlight.

From the famous midnight balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet to Cinderella's exit from the nighttime ball to Lady and the Tramp sharing spaghetti and stroll, it is a common idea that people fall in love in the evening.

But what happens when the day dawns?

What happens when you're too old to play the ingénue and too jaded to believe the fairy tale?

In "Frankie and Johnny in Clair de Lune" playwright Terrence McNally explores the idea of what happens when love finds two individuals for a second time around.

Waitress Frankie (Shanan Custer) has been in love and has had her heart broken, so when romantic-at-heart-fry-cook Johnny (Charles Hubbell) attempts to turn a one night stand into something more, she's skeptical.

As their relationship evolves, Frankie and Johnny learn what love looks like after the heartache and learn how a broken heart can be the perfect foundation for a new relationship.

Hubbell took some time to chat with me about the show's message and why audiences should see the show.

As the show centers on an older couple working through falling in love after both experiencing heartache, how would younger audiences connect to this story?

Hubbell: I think a younger audience would be inspired at Frankie and Johnny's effort to find something real. No matter how many years we may have had living in and out of relationships there is a yearning for the authentic, genuine emotional connection between ourselves and our lover. We know it when we feel it. Even a young person can ask, "Is this relationship about satisfying me or am I truly invested in the happiness of my lover?"

I definitely think that is a message most anyone can relate to. So, what do you find most challenging thing about playing Johnny?

Hubbell: [He] never stops listening.

Interesting. That must be a challenging thing to portray on the stage. What is your favorite scene in the show?

Hubbell: I enjoy the challenge of the cooking scene because it is unlike any acting role I've ever had. I have to focus on staying emotionally present and honest while also making sure I chop and dice like someone who does that for a living. And [I have to] make sure I don't cut myself with an extremely sharp knife!

That is quite a lot to juggle at once! Aside from being a short-order cook, Johnny is also described as being a romantic. What does being a romantic mean to you? 

Hubbell: Being a romantic is about the moment. For me, romance lead to marriage which is not about the moment. Marriage is about repetition and choosing each and every day to be with my partner in all things and through all things. Looking back on our successes and failures, to choose to be everything for our partner is what we can point to as romantic.

As the show centers on a romantic relationship it makes sense that there are only two cast members. But how is performing in a show with only two cast members different than a full ensemble? 

Hubbell: Performing as one of only two cast members in a show is more difficult than a larger cast. A one person show would be even more challenging, I imagine. In a two person show we can hold each other up and listen to each other in order to know where we are and where we are going. With a larger cast an actor can step out for a scene or two, get their bearings, take a rest, look over lines, etc.

Sounds like it makes for a much more intimate relationship between cast members and between the actors and audience. Aside from a different experience between actor and audience member, why should people come to see the show?

Hubbell: This is a beautiful story because the human endeavor to love is sublimely beautiful. Our desire to be loved and to love is at the very core of every single person. This is a show that gets right to that. It's a mirror for our hearts. Audiences will track with Frankie and Johnny with a knowing nod, knowing tear, knowing laugh because we've all been there. We know exactly what these two are saying and feeling. Frankie and Johnny come from a particular place, have particular speech patterns but Frankie and Johnny are no strangers. They are us.

"Frankie and Johnny in Clair de Lune" is open now through Dec. 6. Tickets cost $25 to $28. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit Casting Spell Productions online.