Five years later, Diversionary can finally present ‘Midnight at the Never Get’ – San Diego Union-Tribune

The West Coast premiere of writer-composer Mark Sonnenblick’s “Midnight at the Never Get” comes five years after the cabaret show first appeared on Diversionary Theatre’s radar.

Then-artistic director Matt Morrow had contacted Stephen Brotebeck of the San Diego State School of Theater, Television and Film to direct a 2018 production of the show, which is set in a hidden gay bar in Greenwich Village in 1965. Brotebeck had just directed the Todd Almond/Matthew Sweet musical “Girlfriend” at Diversionary.

Then COVID arrived.

So it was last year, when Brotebeck was wrapping up his role as interim artistic director of Diversionary, that “we were looking at programming for this current season (2024-25) and this was one of the first shows I mentioned,” he said. “I was very captivated by the intimacy of the show and this love story that was set against the rise of the gay rights movement and the political upheaval of the ’60s that was happening.

“There are very few programs that are so intimate that also have such a big impact,” said Brotebeck, who is now interim artistic director of the SDSU School of Theater, Television and Film. “The way this show plays out has always stayed with me.”

“Midnight at the Never Get,” which Sonnenblick conceived with Sam Bolen and Max Friedman, features a cabaret singer, Trevor, and his pianist accompanist, Arthur, who share not only a stage but also a complex romantic history. Among interpretations of songs reminiscent of the Great American Songbook and composers such as Cole Porter, are some revealing monologues from Trevor.

“Trevor is a super raw human being and there’s a lot going on in his head,” said Bryan Banville, who plays the character on Diversionary. “He is sharing this story of himself and the man he loves. I think what attracted me to Trevor is his overall passion for music and performing. Then, let’s overlay the time period: in New York City, right when a lot of things were happening for people who were part of what we now call the LGBTQ community.

“Trevor and Arthur (played by Diversionary newcomer Cody Bianchi) have decided to create this nightclub act that’s all about them. It was dangerous. They risked imprisonment and possible injury. There’s an interesting dichotomy between the facade they have to put on in public spaces and when they’re on their own turf, so to speak, they get to be who they really are.”

Brotebeck agreed about the real danger Trevor and Arthur would have faced, even performing in an underground club.

“Singing about another man and how much you love that other man was completely subversive at the time,” he said, “but also an important part of the gay rights movement. For those who do not know this story, it is important for new generations to see how hard that fight was.”

The director highly praises his co-stars.

“Bryan evokes this period so well and approaches the role with such compassion and strength to understand that romantic ideal that always looks for the best in people,” she said. “Cody not only has to sing and act, but also play. This is not a case where someone is at the piano playing just a few chords. “He literally plays and directs the entire band (on stage) and at the same time plays an important character.”

This is the third fun show for Banville, who previously starred in “Significant Other” in 2019 and two years ago in “The Mystery of Irma Vep.” In San Diego theaters, he is known as an actor, both in musicals, where he began his career, and in plays.

“For me, this show (‘Midnight at the Never Get’) is a perfect combination of both,” Banville said.

‘Midnight at the Never Get’

When: Now in previews until November 1st. It opens on November 2 and will run until November 17. Thursdays at 7 pm; 8 pm Fridays and Saturdays; 2 pm Sundays

Where: Detour Theater, 4545 Park Blvd., University Heights

Tickets: $10-$70

Phone: 619-220-0097

Online: divertario.org