By Megan Kok

Guest Writer

Actors' at Spectrum Theatre began their 2001-2002 season last weekend with the premier of ``Lonely Planet.''

``Lonely Planet'' tells its story through two characters, Jody (Steven Anderson) and Carl (Lucas Van Engen). The play was written in the early 1990s, at a time when sexually transmitted diseases received a lot of press, and sick individuals were treated as criminals who deserved their illness. At the most basic level, it is about two characters who deal with the profound sadness of watching their friends die of the AIDs virus, and a fear that they might be the next buried.

The characters of ``Lonely Planet'' demonstrate the choices we have in terrifying situations. Jody has lost the courage to leave his store, preferring to analyze his condition in terms of map projections. Carl, on the other hand, takes on his friends' memories and even their occupations as his own.

As Carl's friends die, he brings their chairs to Jody's store. Every day, more chairs appear, filling the room. Jody grows angry that Carl forces him to see emptiness in the clutter. They teach each other about love in friendship, however, and as the little mysteries of each character's motivation unfold, Jody and Carl realize their friendship helps them survive illness of body and spirit.

``Lonely Planet'' should certainly not be passed off as another piece of political AIDs propaganda, however. It is an intelligent and sensitive illustration of the effect AIDs has on both those who have it and those who do not.

Director Stephanie Sandberg, of Calvin's CAS department, appreciates that the play does not treat homosexuals as separate from the rest of humanity, as they once were considered. ``Gay people are no longer a fringe element of our society.''

One of the most remarkable things about ``Lonely Planet'' is that playwright Steven Dietz does not use the words ``homosexual,'' ``gay,'' or ``AIDs.'' Artfully, the use of language makes ``Lonely Planet'' a resonant play.

Van Engen, a Calvin student, commented on the intelligence of the play: ``That word [``gay''] puts up a block. This play undermines that block.... The audience identifies before they can stereotype.''

``For most members of the audience it's about healing,'' Sandberg said.

It is true that the reality of AIDs and even homosexuality are not felt strongly at Calvin College, yet this play serves to stir a realization in us that friendships help us to survive tragedy and fear. ``Lonely Planet'' will conclude its run at Actors' at Spectrum Theatre this weekend. Student tickets are just $7. For more information call (616) 234-3946.