The problems of long distance relationships, inter-race relationships, living with an ilyostemy and still wanting to be intimate, and having to suddenly havi ng a friend who was once strong be left weak physically and mentally by an accident are all brought to life on stage. A Little Older reveals Sandy's struggles to help his friend Isla, played by Rachel M. Kelly, regain her memory after cracking her skull. He forces her to think back to when they first met as elementary school children, when she discovered her sexuality and told him that he was not wrong because of his, when the grew up a little and he went to college. During Isla's recovery the a udience watches as her memory begins to return, she begins speaking again, and regains her lively attitude, yet she asks one day why she eats and how. Sandy, played by Ryan Blanchard, becomes the strength behind a friendship that Isla once drove.
Friendship is the heart of Love Among the Juveniles as well.
Ailsa and Finn, played by Tara Halwes and Todd Dibble, together with Finn's mother Jean, played by Katie Horning, stand by each other as they learn how to deal with unconventional relati onships. Finn's boyfriend is nervous about himself and his feelings, Ailsa's fallen in love with a man from Zimbabwe who has to return home, Jean is longing for love even though she is uncomfortable about her physical problem. Love wins out all around, though, in both plays, as the characters realize that it is the most important thing in friendship and living. Love Among the Juveniles was highly criticized when it first came out, for being both fairy tale like and for making audiences face a homosexual love scene. It brought out some very controversial issues, but portrayed them in a happy ending atmosp here.