Quote of the Day: I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being. Oscar Wilde

Eva Gemlo, Noah Hynick, Emily Hensley, and Lyreshia Ghostlon-Green in Significant Other at Lyric Arts, thru 6/22/25. Photo: Molly Weibel

Lyric Arts is producing a wonderful, humorous, heartfelt play called Significant Other, by Joshua Harmon. Noah Hynick shows his tremendous comedic chops as the main character, Jordan. The play opens with a bachelorette party at a bar with Jordan and his three besties, Laura (Eve Gemlo), Vanessa (Emily Hensley), and the Bride to Be Kiki (Lyreshia Ghostlon-Green). They talk through dating ups and downs and embarrassing interactions. Jordan has a crush on the new guy at work. They very adeptly go through the various angst-filled actions and motions of trying to get to know someone in the digital age. Do you tell them that you looked up their profile and read their posts, or do you pretend that you don’t know all the statistics on their lives?

Eva Gemlo and Noah Hynick in Significant Other at Lyric Arts, thru 6/22/25. Photo: Molly Weibel

As the story progresses, Jordan’s friends meet their special someone, leaving him with feelings of loss and longing for his own soulmate. They have lovely moments of heart to heart talks, imagining themselves in a painting and what their lives could look like. They have ridiculous encounters with potential dates, and almost dates, and moments of just wanting to be held. James Grace and Dale O’Dell play all these various characters. They both do a marvelous job of making each character they play distinct. Many scenes made me laugh out loud – and also cringe as I felt that awkwardness that we all do when we like someone but don’t know how to show it or what to say. When Jordan pours his heart out to Laura during her bridal shower, we feel all the emotions that go into a relationship. He wants to be happy for his friend, and his is, but he’s also feeling somewhat abandoned and left out. I also loved his relationship with his grandma Helene (Miriam Monasch) who offers sage advice and gentle reminders that you deserve happiness and that doesn’t mean that you are half of a whole. You are enough.

Noah Hynick and Miriam Monasch in Significant Other at Lyric Arts, thru 6/22/25. Photo: Molly Weibel

Max Wojtanowicz directs this lovely play that holds within it a full range of emotions that reflect the human experience. He brings those hard conversations out in a tender way that could be too much, or too harsh, if not delivered with a loving touch. The set, designed by Michaela Lochen, is multi-leveled with pieces that can quickly change from a bench to a table, a bar to an apartment, inside to outside. Samantha Fromm Haddow designed numerous outfits for the women – friends and party dresses, bridal gowns, fancy shoes, and the distinct changes for the male characters. Jordan is on stage most of the time, so he stays in business casual for most of the show, with a few changes for certain scenes. Lighting design by Lucas Granholm brings out a few fun elements on the stage and on the back wall. I noticed the picture collection when Grandma comes out and they talk about family and memories. Sound design by Katie Korpi.

You can see Significant Other at Lyric Arts in Anoka, MN through June 22, 2025. 

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: How/where have you met a significant person in your life?