With the Christmas season in full swing people are celebrating by spending time with their families and loved ones. “All This And Heaven Too” is a great musical that’s arrived just in time for theater-goers to enjoy for the holidays. The show is a celebration of friendship and family but in a somewhat unconventional way.
 
“All This And Heaven Too” is currently playing at the Macha Theater in West Hollywood. The story follows a group of elderly gay men as they gather to honor the life of their departed friend Boomie played by James Warnock. The musical opens with Terry, Tony award-winning actor Sammy Williams, preparing to host the gathering at his home for the group to share in the memories and history of the family they’ve made for themselves.
 
Each character reminisces about how Boomie brought them all together and the significance he played in their lives through song and dance numbers derived primarily from the silver age of musicals. The show captures the sensibilities of musicals from this bygone era but still offers something for those with more modern tastes such as the disco-inspired number “Work It”.
 
The musical also touches upon ageism that many gay men face as they grow older, feeling less attractive and ostracized from the youth-obsessed gay community. The show’s opening song “Trolls” is a comical lament on the onset of age but does point to the disconnect between the younger and older generation of gay men.
 
Chase McCown’s character Blane, is a former street hustler taken in by Boomie who shows him true generosity and friendship and a better way to live his life. Blane represents the younger generation that doesn’t know much about the significance of gay icons like Judy Garland or Ethel Merman, who are prevalent throughout the show.
 
Kelly Mantle steals the spotlight with a nearly over-the-top performance as the trans-gendered character Jo. Mantle has some of the most hilarious lines and goes through several costume changes with each outfit more fabulous than the last. Mantle brings a lot of the humor and fun to the musical. But of course any musical or play would not be complete without sort of heart-wrenching drama. 
 
A turn from the light-hearted atmosphere of the show occurs with the arrival of Myrna, Boomie’s estranged sister played by Katharine Devlin. Her presence is met with anger and frustration as she demands a keepsake album. Myrna, like many families of gay men and women, has shunned Boomie for being gay. Boomie’s ex-partner of eleven years Michael, played by Steven Connor, refuses her request saying that Boomie’s circle of friends was more family than she and her parents ever were. This scene sends home the musical’s all important message of love and acceptance.
 
“All This And Heaven Too” is a celebration of life and love. It shows through its humor and songs that those in the gay community are truly just like everyone else. The families they form are really no different from any other in the way they honor and celebrate their loved ones and shows that family is truly where you find it and love is something that binds us all together.

“All This And Heaven Too”

Book and lyrics by Bill Dyer.

Music and arrangements by Dick DeBenedictis.

Directed and choreographed by Kevin Carlisle.

Produced by D and D Productions in association with Macha Theatre/ Films.

Macha Theatre, 1107 N. Kings Rd., West Hollywood, CA 90069. Some parking onsite, plus a municipal parking structure across the street (fee).

The play runs through December 30. Thurs.- Sat. at 8, Sun. at 3.

Admission: $30. Seniors and students, $25 (Use promo code 007). Groups of ten or more, $20 (For group discount code, e-mail heavengroups@Plays411.com)

For reservations: (323) 960-7776.

Online: www.Plays411.com/heaventoo

Estimated Running Time:  1 hour, 40 minutes