Part II of Tesseract’s ‘The Inheritance’ continues masterful journey through themes of love, legacy and community

Part II of The Tesseract Theatre Company’s production of Matthew Lopez’s “The Inheritance” more than lived up to their goal of sparking “conversation by providing diverse theatre to the city of St. Louis.” Part I unfolded with emotional depth and poignant grandeur, leaving me to wonder how that performance could be equaled – or even topped – in the Part II a second part a week later. I was invested in the fate of all the characters and was eager to see how Lopez’s play would build on the narrative established in Part I.

Within minutes of the opening of Part II, I was once again fully engaged with the characters, as if no time had passed. That’s thanks to the direction of Stephen Peirick and the exceptional ensemble cast that delivered a captivating conclusion that explores the characters’ relationships, struggles and personal growth. Part II is a continuation of the rich narrative and thematic exploration set forth in Part I. It delved deeper into the lives of its characters and the complex tapestry of contemporary gay life.

The entire ensemble of this production brought forth convincingly authentic and memorable characters brimming with sincerity. The dynamics between characters unfolded with authenticity and depth. Gabriel Paul’s Toby Darling continued to embody self-destruction with haunting realism, while Alex C. Moore in the roles of Morgan and Walter and Chris Kernan as Eric Glass provided the emotional core of the production.

Jonathan Hey portrayed Henry with unwavering conviction and unapologetic honesty in his political beliefs and business prowess. Tyson Cole’s courageous and vulnerable performance in the roles of Adam and Leo was captivating in both roles. His wrenching portrayal of Leo was a highlight among many in this production.

Part II’s only new character was Margaret – also the only female character. Margery Handy played this role with astounding honesty, regret and compassion. Her scenes anchored the narrative with emotion,  confidence and vulnerability.

At the conclusion of this production of “The Inheritance” I was left with an overriding feeling of gratitude. Gratitude for Tesseract for offering this masterful examination of love, legacy and community. Gratitude for the engaging exploration of queer history and the importance of remembrance and solidarity within the LGBTQ+ community. Gratitude for Peirick and  actors who created a rich, emotional and complex experience. And gratitude that St. Louis has such theatrical talents available.

Tesseract Theatre Company’s production of “The Inheritance” ran April 25-May 5.