Flashback post 'I choose 'Significant Other' at MJTC

'Significant Other,’ written by Joshua Harmon and directed by Harley Finn is showing at the Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company in St. Paul through March 8th, 2020.


A young Jewish gay man enjoys single life with his gal pals in New York City but as singles nights slowly wind down into bachelorette parties and weddings, Jordan yearns for his own significant other.

Jordan (Bradley Hildebrandt) has some very interesting gal pals for sure. There’s strong-willed, Kiki (Olivia Wilusz), whose selfish nature is apparent by everything she says and does. At her own bachelorette party, she says "I became obsessed with myself, but honestly it's been the best two months of my life. ” Patrons will be shocked as she dispenses advice to Jordan and pops in on a scene. You'll hang on to Kiki's every words as she uses these moments to chime in on her own personal life. “Should I have an affair?” she says as she stands at a bar table in a too short dress. Later she’s wearing maternity gear, her clothes expanding to fit her baby bump.

There are plenty of costume changes for these young characters, and design team Rubble and Ash (Andrea M. Gross and Barb Portinga) know how to make each garment stand out. Their roles couldn’t be more important since some actors play three different characters: actor Paul Lanave as Will, Conrad, and Tony and actor Tony Larkin as Zach, Evan, and Roger. These two deliver impressively intense performances.

Lanave goes from a super hottie in crisp business shirts and suit pants to fiancé Tony, the complete opposite, with a nasal accent, dressed in tan pants and loafers. The audience may remember seeing Lanave in several productions but I was reminded why he stood out when a playgoer told me he looked like Burt Reynolds.

Flashback scenes where Will reminds his friends of memories he’s had with his love interests draw out a whirlwind of emotions, often moving from one to another in a quick fashion that leaves you constantly on edge. The characters in the show speak so fast that you may wonder if they had to hire a dialogue coach. The fast talking pushes the envelope and there are moments when Will’s lengthy monologues are so full of detail you want to rush the stage and tell him ‘it will be okay’ and take a breath.

Come see this intensely emotional production at MJTC.