Presented by and at Wings Theatre Company, 154 Christopher St., NYC, May 14-June 12.
Clint Jefferies' "African Nights" should come with an "X" warning for all the nudity in this parlor drama set in colonial Kenya. There are plenty of sexual trysts—homosexual and heterosexual—but the point of it all isn't clear until well after intermission.
The first half is all skillful exposition and witty repartee with a few engagingly remarkable performances, led by Bekka Lindstrom as the carefree, bourgeois, and totally British Lady Idina. Karen Stanion expertly delivers her socialite friend Kiki, who is equal parts gleeful gossip, hapless flirt, and friendly drug dealer.
Among the male partygoers is Angelo, a reluctant American pilot (Nick Marcotti) who, as a closeted homosexual, quietly suffers Kiki's advances. JoHary Ramos is the determined Jose, who crashes the party in search of his partner, George Windsor, the "prince," who, though openly gay, also romances Kiki.
Ed Roggenkamp's George is at the romantic center as a man torn between a real chance at true love and a false future as a happily married man. It is only in distant lands, like Kenya, where he can freely be himself. Roggenkamp smiles and laughs through much of the evening, until Jose forces a confrontation about their relationship.
The play's title is an analogy for the condition of Africa as white imperialists see it. Yet, as the servant Hassan (Antwan Ward) clearly states near the end to Major Robert Effington (Joel Halpern), Idina's rebuffed lover, they could do much better considering their goings-on. The major, charmingly portrayed by Halpern, also cheats on his more mature wife (Sheri Delaine).
The adept direction by Jeffery Corrick hits all the right marks. Set design by Robert Monaco is bright and quite beautiful, and period costumes by Tom Claypool set the right political climate and location.