Little Happy Secrets
By Melissa Leilani Larson
Melissa Leilani Larson is the author of many renowned plays and films. She studied at BYU and attended grad school at Iowa Playwrights Workshop. Her devotion to her work is reflected in multiple awards and recognition and her appeal to Mormon audiences makes her writing even more multi-faceted and unique.
Winner of the 2009 Association for Mormon Letters Drama Award, Larson's play, Little Happy Secrets shows a new perspective on a relationship drama. Though the play is about a girl's homosexual attraction to her best friend, this is not the new side of theatre to which I refer. The girls are Mormon, and their story addresses ideals and behaviors practiced by members of this often misunderstood faith, specifically when faced with the topic of homosexuality.
Larson's protagonist is Claire, a student at BYU. She is conservative politically, religiously, and socially and is conflicted by her affection for her best friend Brennan who in contrast is liberal, outgoing, and rebellious. Brennan eventually begins dating and becomes engaged to a very clean-cut boy named Carter. Claire dislikes Carter, knowing that he is not right for her friend, aside from her own affection for Brennan. Larson's story is that of a love triangle like any other. Gender aside, it is about the monkey wrench that "feelings" throw into friendships only in this case it is weighed down by religious faith.
The first dramaturgical choice that I found value in was Larson having Claire narrate the story. This makes for a very stylized production. In some moments the characters freeze and the audience gains an intimate moment with Claire's perspective on her life as a sister, third wheel, lover, and friend. It also puts a more human perspective on the Mormon faith. Claire is devout in her beliefs and therefore in conflict over how to channel the way she feels love for her friend and her God.
And the second choice I love... is a SPOILER! But I've got to give Larson props for the monumental plot twist at the end. On Brennan's wedding day she sends Claire a letter that simply says "Stop me." Even though Claire is too late, it creates a hope that that acknowledges Brennan's respect for Claire's speculation that the marriage to Carter was a bad idea. On some level, their friendship has survived.
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